Lageplan

Stationen
1 Expeditionen
Mensch/ Erde/ Kosmos
2 Kinderbereich Milchstraße
3 ForscherAtelier
4 Café Jonas
5 Shop Unikat
6 Sonderausstellung
7 DenkArena
8 Gastronomie Kubus
9 Shop Prädikat
10 Turm der Lüfte
11 Steinhügel
12 Wasserwelt
13 Kletterwand
14 Forum
15 Exponade
16 Wurzelpfad

Inside the Earth

Only 6,370 km divide the surface and the centre of the earth. This is about the same distance as between Bremen and New York, but the centre of the earth cannot be reached by anyone. Its density is 12,580 kilograms per cubic metre, the prevailing temperatures are around 4,400 °C and the pressure is around 3,600 kbar, which corresponds to 3,600 tonnes per square centimetre. Everything we know about the earth's core we have to infer, as direct access remains impossible. The deepest hole up until now was dug by Soviet geologists in the Kola peninsula. It is just 13 kilometres deep.
Scientists can, however gain an understanding of the various shells and layers of the earth using indirect means such as by interpreting seismic waves. In the exhibition area entitled Inside the Earth you will travel through the core and mantle of the earth and experience the phenomena caused in the different layers and their effects.

Magnet Earth

The earth's magnetic field is generated deep inside it and extends far into space. In principle this magnetic field is similar to a bar magnet. At the magnetic poles, the field lines leave the earth and then run parallel to the surface. Consequently, a magnetic compass will point to the magnetic poles anywhere on earth. On the Magnet Earth exhibit this magnetic field is visible. A brass ball with a bar magnet inside it is sprinkled with iron filings, which proceed to line themselves up along the field lines. At the poles of the earth the filings line up to form a tight, dishevelled upright cluster, while at the equator they cling to the earth like a belt, i.e. horizontally. And a good thing it is too: dangerous solar winds are deflected by the magnetic field to the poles, thereby protecting us from increased radiation exposure. A number of interactions take place between atoms and molecules in the earth's atmosphere. The result is a spectacular colour show called the Northern Lights.

Exponat Magnet Erde

Earthquakes

A glance at the map of the world quickly shows that some continents fit into each other like jigsaw pieces. Today we know that the earth's crust and the upper part of the earth's mantle actually consist of about 10 large and many smaller plates that "swim" on the plastic material of the earth's mantle. The movements of these tectonic plates, driven by the heat inside the earth's core, cause not only the continents to move, but also lead to volcanism and earthquakes. Almost unnoticed, thousands of small earthquakes take place each day across the world, recorded by hundreds of monitoring stations. On the Earthquake Sofa you can feel the strength of three large 20th century earthquakes yourself. Can you imagine what it is like to experience an earthquake? How did the people of San Francisco in 1906 and Albstadt in 1978 fare following their earthquakes? What memories do you have of the earthquake in Izmit in 1999?

Exponat Erdbebensofa

Eruption

Currently there are 500 to 600 active volcanoes on the planet. Each year around 50 of them erupt, spewing forth lava. The way in which a mountain spews forth lava will influence its shape. Sometimes volcanoes spurt lava, rocks and dust from the crater high into the air. The larger fragments are catapulted a much shorter distance and therefore cluster around the chimney, while the smaller parts are transported much further. The Eruption exhibit shows this phenomenon taking place on a smaller scale.
At Universum® the "mini" volcanic eruption is caused by a flow of air that forces its way through sand. In nature, however, it is liquid rock that forces its way to the surface.

Exponat Eruption