• About
  • Partners
  • Glossary
  • Email
  • Twitter

Understanding Global Change

Discover why the climate and environment changes, your place in the Earth system, and paths to a resilient future.

Understanding Global Change

Discover why the climate and environment changes, your place in the Earth system, and paths to a resilient future.

Menu
  • Home
  • How to use this website
  • What is Global Change?
    • Close
    • Understanding Global Change 101
    • Understanding Global Change Infographic
    • How the Earth System Works
      • Atmosphere
      • Biosphere
      • Elemental Cycles
      • Geosphere
      • Global Energy Budget
      • Hydrosphere
    • Causes of Global Change
      • Human causes
      • Non-human causes
    • Measurable Changes
      • Atmosphere
      • Biosphere
      • Geosphere
      • Hydrosphere
      • Quality of human life
      • Weather / extreme events
    • Close
  • Teaching Resources
    • Close
    • Planning for Instruction
    • Example Units and Lessons
    • Downloadable Graphics
      • Infographic
      • Icon Sets
      • Earth Scene
    • Close
  • Construct a Model
Home → Glossary → Earth’s internal heat

Earth’s internal heat

Heat inside the Earth from radioactive decay of elements and residual heat leftover from Earth’s formation. This heat drives plate tectonics and parts of the rock cycle.

Learn more about Earth’s internal heat.

A project of the University of California Museum of Paleontology  |  © 2025 University of California Regents. All Rights Reserved.