Geology of Isla

Genesis: The Birth of Isla

Isla was formed approximately 3.5 billion years ago along with the other seven planets in the Octavius System. The contraction of gases and cosmic dusts in this sector of the galaxy caused a spinning disk of matter. Most of the matter was pulled to the center of the disk creating the star, or the sun, of Octavius. As particles from the rotating gas cloud around the sun collided due to electromagnetic forces, the accumulation of masses resulted in the formation of the planets and their moons. Among them, Isla with its twin moons Alpha and Beta were created.

Structure of Isla

The surface of heated Isla gradually changed as the temperature cooled. Heavier elements such as iron and nickel moved to the center. While lighter elements, mainly hydrogen and oxygen, moved outwards forming the compound water which later condensed into liquid and rain down to the surface. Isla has three basic layers or shells: the crust (outermost layer), the mantle (middle layer), and the core (innermost layer). Temperature increased from the surface to the core. It can reach up to 5000 degrees. Celsius.

Isla's Atmosphere

The atmosphere of Isla contains 78% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, 2% of hydrogen and other gases. It is divided into layers: lowest layer, troposphere which is the makeup of the climate, stratosphere contains the ozone gas blocking harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, the next layer is the ionosphere, and the highest layer exosphere merges into space. When Isla was first formed, the original elements in the atmosphere were from the dissolved gases in the magma under the Isla's crust. These gases were released through the crust in the form of volcanic eruptions. They contained mostly water vapor with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, and hydrogen. After many years of oxygen released from the photo synthetic organisms, the level of oxygen built up in the atmosphere.

Water Cycle

The water cycle on Isla circulates the same way as that of the earth. Water from the ocean evaporates by the heat of the sun. The water vapor collects in the air forming clouds that blows over Praxia. The cool air inland causes the clouds to liquefy or solidify and falls back to the ground in the form of rain completing the cycle.

The Continent of Praxia

Isla's crust is comparatively thin and is formed of large tectonic plates. The upper part of the mantle (the magma) is molten fluid, causing slow motion of the plates above it. We theorize that over millions of years ago, our one and only continent of Praxia (covering 15% of the surface) was formed from the collision of smaller land masses. Today, we can see the mountain ranges and the existence of active volcanoes that was the result of continental plates pushing against each other.

The Rocks

Rocks on Isla go through three different phases or "rock cycle". When magma cools and hardens on the surface, it becomes the igneous rocks and eventually make up the crust. At the surface, it is called igneous rocks and they are further broken down by the wind, water, and other elements in the atmosphere forming the sedimentary rocks. They are collected and accumulated at the bottom of the ocean. Finally, in the last phase the sedimentary rock find its way buried deep within Isla and under the presence of pressure and heat, metamorphic rocks are formed. The cycle would begin again as metamorphic rock melt reaching the magma and hardens on the outer surface.

The Rolandic Ocean

The Rolandic Ocean covers about 80% of the planet surface. The two moons, Alph and Beta spins at different rates around Isla causing inconsistent tides. When they are in line with the sun, the gravitational forces add up and we have high tide. When they are all out of line, the opposing forces cancels out and the tide drops.

Author: Henry T. Lin