Dr. Salih Muhammad Awadh
Iraq , Baghdad university , faculty of science ,
Geology Dept
Translated by : Magdy Abd Al-Shafy
The layers of the earth
In this short study , when contemplating about the miracles of God in
this universe , I will show the miracles in the creation of the
earth though many people go unmindful of them . God says in the Holy
Quran what means " And in the earth are portents for those whose faith
is sure " (Al-Zaryat :20) According to seismology , the earth , from
the surface to its center , is composed of three layers and these
with the secondary ones form seven layers ( figure 1) , God refers to
this wel-established fact in the Holy Quran , God says in the Holy
Quran in this regard what means ( Allah it is who hath created seven
heavens, and of the earth the like thereof. The commandment cometh
down among them slowly, that ye may know that Allah is Able to do all
things, and that Allah surroundeth all things in knowledge ." (56:12)
These layers are:
1-The earth Crust
It the solid part that we live on , it varies in thickness , the
maximum thickness is under the mountain while thickness is
relatively smaller under oceans ; the earth crust can be
scientifically categorized into two parts :
(a) The continental crust :
It is a rocky mass varying in thickness , the rate of thickness
varies between 30Km-40Km in the continental areas while it reaches
70km under mountains
(b) The oceanic layer : it is a rocky structure encompassing the earth
under oceans and the crust ; it is not harmonious structure with
relatively thickness of 6km
The mantle : it is higher in dense than all the masses of the crust ,
it is complex in structure ; because of the high temperature and
pressure , it is semi-rigid , it is the source of magma , it can be
divided into three parts
(a)The upper mantle which goes deep to a depth of 400km under the
crust .
(b) The transformation zone which extends from 400km to 1000km
(c) The lower mantle which extends from 1000 km to 2900km
3-The core of the earth , it is mainly composed of iron and Nickel and
it can be divided into layers
a) The outer core which is in a liquid state , it extends from a depth
of 2900km to 5080km
(b) The interior core : it is a rigid substance and it extends
from a depth of
5080 to 6371 , it is believed that the internal core is the
centre of the earth .
The rock layer of the earth on which we live has never been one mass
but it is composed of what scientifically known as ( plates ) . God
refers to this fact in the Holy Quran , ( And in the Earth are
neighboring tracts, vineyards and ploughed lands, and date palms, like
and unlike, which are watered with one water. And We have made some of
them to excel others in fruit. Lo! herein verily are portents for
people who have sense . ) (13-4)
These adjacent plates , that are mentioned in the Holy Quran , are
that which are scientifically approved ( figure 2) , this is , now ,
the most well-established and the most scientifically well-supported
fact , it is taught everywhere in the world universities , Geology
department . The most well-known earth plates are :
1. Eurasian plate covering Asia and Europe
2.African plate covering Africa
3.The Arabian plate
4.Antarctic plate covering Antarctic
5. Australian plate, covering Australia (fused with Indian plate
between 50 and 55 million years ago)
6. North American Plate covering North America and north-east
Siberia
7. South American plate covering South America
8. Pacific Plate covering the Pacific Plate
9. The Indian Plate
10. The Caribbean plate
11. The Philippine plate
12. Scotia
Figure (1) The scientifically-known plates nowadays ( mentioned in the
Holy Quran as the neighboring plates
The plates motion
the earth plates relatively moves slowly and constantly , it can’t be
seen directly but can be recoded with highly advanced technology ;
(1M a year was reported by this technology as regard the movement of
one of these plates)and can be experienced during earthquakes .
There are three main kinds of motions as regard the plate movement :
Convergent movement , divergent movement and transform movement, in
the divergent movement , two adjacent plate move in the opposite
directions moving away from each other and this often happens in mid-
floor of seas and oceans causing dint or protuberance and this
result in the gushing out of the magma under sea water , being molten
and with high pressure , it cause large mass of water to evaporate ;
the Holy Quran has referred to this scientific fact in the following
verse (And by the sea set on fire ) (81:6)
Ocean floor rift typifies a certain kind of earthquakes followed
by magma out-break . This magma is composed of complex substance
higher in density than the rocks of the crust , scientific studies
have proved that density of the upper mantle is much higher in density
than that of the earth crust (0.4gramme/ cm3 ) , the more we go down ,
the more differences in density . The Holy Quran refers to this
scientific fact ( When Earth is shaken with her (final) earthquake and
Earth yieldeth up her burdens(99:1-2)
These magma forms what is now known as the volcanic mountains which
are termed as mid-ocean ridges, which rise over the oceans and seas
water forming islands , the earthquake and volcanoes co-occurrence can
be illustrated in (figure -3) the convergence movement means that
two adjacent plate approach each other with result that they collide
with each other , as they go on colliding ,one of them or both
slidedown as far as 100Km with the result that they have their
structure changed turning into semi-molten state because of the high
temperature – this process typifies the corroding
figure 2) the locations where the last recorded quakes took place in
the last century dotted in black , these co-occur the locations of
opening the mid-oceans (oceans colored blue) and also represent the
locations of crust plates collisions ( colored green) taken from
(Spencer ,2003)
(Of the ends of the plates or the ends of the earth as the Holy Quran
depicts , this fact is mentioned in the Holy Quran in the following
two Holy verses . God says in the Holy Quran in this regard what means
( See they not how We visit the land, reducing it of its outlying
parts? (When) Allah doometh there is none that can postpone His doom,
and He is swift at reckoning. " (13:41)
Also God says also in the Holy Quran what means "Nay, but We gave
these and their fathers ease until life grew long for them. See they
not how we visit the land, reducing it of its outlying parts? Can they
then be the victors? " (21:44)
A plate might slide over the other forming structural mountains ,
these moves with the plates; these means that these mountains moves
and that what the Holy Quran refers to , God says in the Holy Quran
what means ( And when the hills are moved) (81:3)
Also God says in the Holy Quran what means " Had it been possible for
a Lecture to cause the mountains to move, or the earth to be torn
asunder, or the dead to speak, (this Quran would have done so). Nay,
but Allah’s is the whole command. Do not those who believe know that,
had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind? As for those who
disbelieve, disaster ceaseth not to strike them because of what they
do, or it dwelleth near their home until the threat of Allah come to
pass. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the tryst."
Also God says in the Holy Quran what means "And (bethink you of) the
Day when We remove the hills and ye see the earth emerging, and We
gather them together so as to leave not one of them behind.(18:47)
Earth quakes and volcanoes eruptions accompany the collision of the
plates , the same thing happens in the transform movement which cause
fissures as long as it goes lengthwise ; this is also a proof that
plates are in continuous motion since they were first formed up till
now .
The movement of the earth plate reasons
The reason for the motion of the plates lies in the mantle under the
crust whose thickness reaches 2800 km ,it is composed of rocky
complex silicon material , partially or wholly molten, yet it is not
in a liquid state but rather in a very viscous state with high
temperature and pressure , it is well established that the deeper ,
the hotter inside the earth ; so the temperature of the lower parts in
the mantle is higher than the upper , because of the variance of
temperature between the plates of the earth , the giant convective
currents take place moving from the lower parts to the upper parts
circularly -because of the difference in density – carrying up the
hotter substance and then the less hot substances goes down because
of its high density and weight , this process is constant and
continuous (Figure -4) , the convective currents press hard on the
earth crust over it causing it to move in any of the ways already
mentioned motions
( Figure -3) the convective currents in the mantle between the crust
and the core
The movement of the earth plate is accurately calculated and compact;
it keeps the mass of the earth and surface area , in the time when the
end of one of the sunken plate wears away (or shrink in size ) a new
rocky substance is generated in the facing end (mid-ocean ridges ) .
These keep the gravity among space masses and keep these objects
going in their orbits , this highly perfected accuracy can’t be a mere
chance -The earth -a simple creatures – is among the many creatures
of The Omnipotent -God omnipotence is infinite, God says in the Holy
Quran what mean " And they esteem not Allah as He hath the right to be
esteemed, when the whole earth is His handful on the Day of
Resurrection, and the heavens are rolled in His right hand. Glorified
is He and High Exalted from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)
( 39:67)
Mecca Location in the light of the plate movement through the
geological ages
Geologists divides the historical geology of the earth into many
divisions and subdivision to make it understandable when talking
about a certain period of the earth age , the earth’s age is estimated
to be 4.5 billions years ,the earth age extends from the Cambrian age
till the modern age , since this age , the earth plates have been
moving continuously changing their shapes and locations and even their
numbers – some of them were broken forming new plates while others
were joined together .
It is scientifically -established that the earth plates , through the
long geological age , have been moving regularly around the Arabian
plate ;these plates constantly converge towards it as if they pointed
to it . Scientific studies affirm and attest these facts though not
published to discuss the convergence of the plates towards the Arabian
plate but published with irrelevant aims .
(Figure -5) shows the movement of the Indian plate according to
magnetic anomalies estimations regarding the floor of Indian ocean ,
it also shows the different locations that both the Indian and sir
lanka plates occupied over the span of the last 71 millions years
up till now till it seemingly took its final place that is because its
movement can’t be seen and that its movement is too slow , if compared
with the human age . It is clear in (figure -5 ) that the Indian plate
had moved northwards with a slight circulation
counterclockwise(figure-5), the movement of the Arabian plate is not
taken into consideration in this figure , the location of the Saudi
Arabia is a part of the Arabian plate .
(Figure -6) shows the location of Arabian plate according to the
Indian , African , Turkish and Iranians plates ( it was first composed
of a number of parts , this figure also shows the part middle of Iran
as a separate part from the north of the west of Iran ) and
Afghanistan , (figure -6) shows the location of these plate
surrounding the Arabian plate , the dotted lines parts ( plates
represented with discontinued line ) to the earth plate during the
mid Jurasic Age
figure -4) the movement of the Indian plate 71 millions years ago
estimated according to the magnetic anomalies in according to Indian
ocean bed – the source is:( Spencer,2003)
(( Figure 5) the movement of the earth plates according to the Arabian
plate one million years ago (source Forster,1978)
( that is one millions years ago ) . when looking carefully
at( figure -6) , we will find that the Indian plate has moved
northwards counterclockwise as far as a few degrees and so did the
plates of Afghanistan , the middle and the north of the west of Iran ,
and Turkey
If we look at the location of the Arab plate in the one million
years ago ( the part which is represented by dots) in ( figure 6) , we
will find that it has moved a little northwards taking into
consideration the movement of the far plates; it moved around
counterclockwise. We can conclude that the Arabian plate in the last
million years ( before creating the human being ) and at the present
time took a mid position among the earth plates – these plates
encompass it (figure-6)
During her long time journey , the Arabian plate didn’t cover along
distance as it is the center of the circulation movement, it has moved
within the shorter diameter. So it is clear that the Arabian plate is
center of the earth plates ,and everywhere it goes , it is followed by
the other plates going round it regularly , each plate keeps its
constant direction towards the Arabian plate . It is well-established
that Mecca where the Moslem Kabba lies is in the Arabian plate (figure
-7)
Now , if we use the same approach applied on the Arabian plate , we
can say that every thing on and in the earth directs its face to Mecca
where the Moslem Kabba lies , this system will go on , according to
God’s will , to a certain time assigned by God , this accurate
unwavering system can’t be out of a chance ; it is a supernatural
power that made it and is still keeping it going on – that is God ,
who rose the heavens with unseen pillars .
(figure -6) the location of the Holy Mecca in the Arabian plate
lso God says in the Holy Quran what means " Allah is Creator of all
things, and He is Guardian over all things . "(39:62)
Also God says in the Holy Quran what means "Say (O Muhammad): Who is
Lord of the heaven and the earth? Say: Allah! Say: Take ye then
(others) beside Him for protectors, which, even for themselves, have
neither benefit nor hurt? Say: Is the blind man equal to the seer, or
is darkness equal to light? Or assign they unto Allah partners Who
created the like of His creation so that the creation (which they made
and His creation) seemed alike to them? Say: Allah is the Creator of
all things, and He is the One, the Almighty "(13:62)
Also God says in the Holy Quran what means " So , now , since
everything directs its face towards the Holy Mecca , and that the Holy
Kabba is the center of Mecca , we can assuredly and scientifically
say that Kabba is the center of the earth and that everything on or
under it directs its face towards it in complete submissiveness and
piety "
God says in the Holy Quran what means " Hast thou not seen that unto
Allah payeth adoration whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in
the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the hills,
and the trees, and the beasts, and many of mankind, while there are
many unto whom the doom is justly due. He whom Allah scorneth, there
is none to give him honor. Lo! Allah doeth what He will." (22:18 )
God says in the Holy Quran what means " And unto Allah falleth
prostrate whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or
unwillingly, as do their shadows in the morning and the evening
hours . " (13:15)
God says in the Holy Quran what means " And unto Allah maketh
prostration whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the
earth of living creatures, and the angels (also), and they are not
proud (16:49)
God says in the Holy Quran what means " And of His portents (is this):
that thou seest the earth lowly, but when We send down water thereon
it thrilleth and groweth. Lo! He who quickeneth it is verily the
Quickener of the dead. Lo! He is Able to do all things ". (41:39)
God says in the Holy Quran what means " Allah hath appointed the
Ka’bah, the Sacred House, a standard for mankind, and the Sacred Month
and the offerings and the garlands. That is so that ye may know that
Allah knoweth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the
earth, and that Allah is Knower of all things.
"(5:97)
Glory be to the Creator of the Heaves and the earth , we deeply
implore Him to enlighten our dark heart with the light of his
countenance that enlighten the Heavens and the earth
God says in the Holy Quran what means " And the earth shineth with the
light of her Lord, and the Book is set up, and the Prophets and the
witnesses are brought, and it is judged between them with truth, and
they are not wronged ." (39:67)
we deeply implore to him to animate our hearts with light of wisdom as
he animate the barren land with rain and to accept our deeds and
acts making them only for his pleasure
Then praise be to Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lords of the earth,
the Lord of the Worlds. And unto Him (alone) belongeth majesty in the
heavens and the earth, and He is the Mighty, the Wise . (45:36-37)
————————————————————————— —–
for further information , e-mail the writer : salihauad2…@yahoo.com
for any comment e-mail the translator
Magdy Abd Al-Shafy
magdy_figh…@hotmail.com
magdy_fighte…@yahoo.com
Sources :
2-Spencer E. W. 2003: Earth Science, understanding environment
systems. McGraw Hill. Toranto, 517p.
3- Forster, H., 1978: Mesozoic -Cenozoic metallogenesis in Iran .
journal of the Geological Society – London . Printed in the
Netherland. Vol.135. pp 443-455. 8
