USGS CMG InfoBank: Differentiation

Source: Annenberg/CPB Resources - Earth Revealed - 2. The Restless Planet

Keywords: "James Sadd", differentiation, volcano, earthquake, ocean, atmosphere, "magnetic field"

Our transcription: Understanding how Earth was transformed from a homogeneous mass to a planet with distinct internal layers is fundamental to understanding Earth history.

This process, known as "differentiation" is responsible for dramatic changes in Earth's physical identity since the formation of our planets some 4.6 billion years ago.

These changes include volcanic activity, the formation of continents, the ocean and atmosphere, and even initiation of the Earth's magnetic field.