MQ_The Core
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Astronomy
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Dec 6, 2023
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EES 0836
The Core (2003) Video Response Questions
Disasters: Geology vs. Hollywood
Introduction
For reasons unknown, the earth's outer core has stopped rotating, causing the planet's electromagnetic
field to rapidly deteriorate. Instantly, life around the globe begins to change dramatically. In Boston, 32
people with pacemakers, all within a 10-block radius, suddenly drop dead. In San Francisco, the Golden
Gate Bridge collapses, sending hundreds of people plunging to their deaths. In London's Trafalgar
Square, flocks of pigeons lose their ability to navigate, flying into panicked crowds, slamming into
windshields and causing drivers to lose control of their cars. And in Rome, as thousands of tourists watch
helplessly, an electrical superstorm reduces the ancient Roman Colosseum to rubble. Scrambling to
resolve the crisis, government and military officials call upon geophysicist Dr. Josh Keyes and a team of
the world's most gifted scientists to travel into the earth's core in a subterranean craft piloted by
"terranauts" Major Rebecca "Beck" Childs and Commander Robert Iverson. Their mission: Detonate a
nuclear device that will reactivate the core and save the world from sure destruction.
-imdb.com
Learning Objective
●
Assess the validity/credibility of statements made in Hollywood movies.
(4, a)
●
Identify the correct geologic processes that would help explain scenes in Hollywood movies.
(1,
5, a, b)
Questions
During and after watching the video clips, answer the following questions. Add your answers
below and submit on Canvas.
1.
Dr. Keyes uses a cut peach to demonstrate the layers of the Earth. Other than the obvious
issue (which he kind of addresses) about there being no liquid outer core in the peach, do
you think this analogy is basically sound?
Yes, I mean when you think about it with what he had at the time it sounds pretty spot on to the
videos watched and the ed puzzle. I do think this is pretty sound.
2.
List at least 3 consequences that Dr. Keyes says will result from the loss of the magnetic
field.
Planes falling from the sky.
All electronics will be fried.
Supper storms will start forming
3.
Based on what we talked about in lecture and the behavior of the magnetic field over the
course of Earth’s history, do you think Dr. Keyes’ prediction that “
life on Earth will end
in a year
” is realistic? Why or why not?
EES 0836
Dr. Keyes's prediction about life ending in a year due to the change in the behavior of the
magnetic field sounds legit considering it is the only thing that protects us from the
extreme heat radiated from the sun.
4.
The ship Virgil crashes inside a giant geode or “gem bubble” in the mantle. Could that
large void of empty space really exist at that depth? Explain your answer.
No because it is geologically active. A lot of tension from the overlying stone.
5.
The terranauts encounter the giant geode at approximately 700 miles (roughly 1127 km)
depth, and they state that the temperature is 5000 degrees. They don’t specify whether
that is Fahrenheit or Celsius, but let’s assume Fahrenheit since he uses that earlier in the
film. So, that’s roughly 2760 degrees Celsius. Is this an accurate temperature estimate for
that depth (feel free to refer to our lecture notes)?
Looking at the numbers and he does refer to 2760 degrees however that number seems a little too
high. As it would probably be around 1000 degrees Celsius.
6.
At the end of the film (spoiler alert), our heroes do manage to save the world. Virgil
emerges from the Earth’s interior at “a space between some tectonic plates somewhere
near Hawaii.” Why is that impossible?
I mean it looks like there are not any plate boundaries near Hawaii. So there would be no
space for them to make an appearance.
7.
Describe anything else you saw in these clips that you think might be scientifically
questionable.
I learned that when earth ends, it will be one crazy experience.
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