Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

Author:     library
Text:       How do we know what is in the middle of the earth?  What is in the 
middle of the earth?  How did oil get into the earth?

Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      Sam Bowen
Text:        It appears to be liquid iron in the center of the earth. We think 
this is true since sound waves can pass through and the way they pass (after 
earthquakes) leads us to believe it is liquid, hot, and under great pressure.  
Oil is found near the surface of the earth and all of it results from plant or 
animal matter that has been processed by bacteria that do not live in air, but 
which take out oxygen from material.  The carbon material left behind is coal, 
gas, or oil.  It is amazing that there were so many plants and bacteria to 
make all of the oil and coal that there is.  This is an amazing place, the 
earth.