In this Pioneer Plaque, we want to introduce the inner structure of the Earth and its external layer structure to Heptapod. In the case of Heptapod, their bodies are built (7 eyes, 7 tentacles…) so that they do not interpret information through horizontal directions (as it is always the “front”). Instead, they receive information as a whole. So as to cater to their physical structure, we present the information on a sphere and divided them into two categories of seven layers.
The first category is about the four spheres of the Earth. Scientists have divided the Earth into four spheres: lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. They are presented on the outer part of the circle in the plaque.
Lithosphere: It is presented on the upper left corner of the plaque and refers to the solid rocky crust of the Earth, which is the stratosphere of life. The lithosphere consists of continents and islands of slightly smaller size. The lithosphere is dotted with majestic mountains, vast plains, huge basins, and low hills, and contains various mineral resources needed by mankind. The lithosphere can be divided into six major plates, namely the Asia-Europe plate, the Pacific plate, the American plate, the Indian Ocean plate, the African plate and the Antarctic plate.
Hydrosphere: It is presented on the upper right corner of the plaque and includes oceans, lakes, rivers, and glaciers. It is the cradle of life. If there were no water on the Earth, the Earth would be lifeless.
Atmosphere: It is presented on the lower right corner of the plaque and consists of a mixture of gases surrounding the earth, which is the protective circle for life. The most abundant gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen, in addition to water vapor, carbon dioxide and other gases. The atmosphere is like a fluffy quilt wrapped around the Earth, protecting it.
Biosphere: It is presented on the lower left corner of the plaque and all living things on Earth – in the air, in the ocean, above and below ground – make up the biosphere. The biosphere is the “child” of the atmosphere and the hydrosphere, and after they are born, they are raised by their parents, the atmosphere, and the hydrosphere.
Since these four spheres are not fragmented but coexist with each other, it is not difficult to find elements in each part that belong to the other spheres. This is partly to demonstrate the concept of the interconnectedness of everything on Earth, and partly to serve the heptapod’s habit of receiving information as a whole.
The second category is actually highly related to lithosphere, which consists of the crust, mantle and core of the Earth. The three layers are presented in a concentric circle structure.
Crust: This is the outermost layer of the entire picture, consisting of various rocks.
Mantle: The mantle is the middle layer between the earth’s crust and the core, the main material composition is iron-magnesium silicate type, in solid state. When the pressure decreases to a certain level, it will liquefy and form a flowing magma, and when it spews out of the earth’s surface, it is a volcanic eruption(shown in the lithosphere part).
Core: It is the core part of the Earth, located in the innermost part of the planet. It consists of a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.
All the seven parts come together to form our pioneer plaque to introduce the fundamental structure of the Earth to Heptapod.