<P> The name ' sial ' was taken from the first two letters of silica and of alumina . The sial is often contrasted to the ' sima , ' the next lower layer in the Earth , which is often exposed in the ocean basins ; and the nickel - iron alloy core , sometimes referred to as the `` Nife '' . These geochemical divisions of the Earth 's interior ( with these names ) were first proposed by Eduard Suess in the 19th century . This model of the outer layers of the earth has been confirmed by petrographic , gravimetric , and seismic evidence . </P>
<P> The name ' sial ' was taken from the first two letters of silica and of alumina . The sial is often contrasted to the ' sima , ' the next lower layer in the Earth , which is often exposed in the ocean basins ; and the nickel - iron alloy core , sometimes referred to as the `` Nife '' . These geochemical divisions of the Earth 's interior ( with these names ) were first proposed by Eduard Suess in the 19th century . This model of the outer layers of the earth has been confirmed by petrographic , gravimetric , and seismic evidence . </P>
who divided the interior of the earth into 3 zones sial sima nife
who divided the interior of the earth into 3 zones sial sima nife
Eduard Suess
Eduard Suess