Almohad Architecture: Mosques, Minarets, and Palaces
Almohad Architecture in Al-Andalus
The Giralda of Seville
The Giralda of Seville, originally the minaret of the Almohad mosque, was crowned by Hernan Ruiz with a weathervane and a statue of Faith, known as Giraldina. The external structure rises in a series of seven superimposed levels, with openings alternating different types of arches: lobed, horseshoe, with lambrequins, and geminate. The balustrades were added later. The four top openings are flanked by sebka panels at two levels, starting from
Read MoreEarth’s Internal Structure: Layers, Composition, and Dynamics
Earth’s Internal Structure
Understanding the Earth’s interior involves gathering information from the surface, both directly and indirectly. Seismic waves reveal that the Earth is heterogeneous, changing speed and direction as they travel through it. These changes indicate that our planet is divided into concentric layers with different properties. Two models explain the internal structure: a geokimico model and a dynamic model.
Geochemical Model of Earth’s Internal Structure
Crust
The crust has two
Earthquakes and Volcanoes: Types, Distribution, and Eruptions
Earthquakes According to Their Origin
There are two main types of earthquakes: tectonic and volcanic.
Tectonic Earthquakes
These are produced by the movement of rock masses along faults or tears and friction between plates. These earthquakes may occur due to different processes and are distinguished by depth:
- Those that happen because of the movement of two blocks along a fault. Their hypocenter is located at shallow depths, generally less than 50 km. They are the most intense and, therefore, the most
Understanding Earth’s Dynamics: Folds, Faults, Volcanoes, and Orogenesis
Understanding Earth’s Dynamics
Folds
Folds are continuous deformations produced by compressive stresses. Bending forms a flat terrain.
Elements of a Fold
- Hinge: The area of maximum curvature of the fold, joining points that are the axes.
- Direction: The bending angle with the axis in a north-south direction.
- Axial Plane: Contains the hinge lines, dividing the fold into flanks or limbs.
- Cartography: The angle between the surfaces of each of the sides with a horizontal plane.
- Core: The innermost and tightest
Renewable and Traditional Energy Sources in Spain
Renewable and Traditional Energy Sources
Solar energy harnesses heat and sunlight. Solar thermal panels heat water for domestic use. Thermoelectric plants use mirrors to produce steam. Photovoltaic panels convert solar energy directly into electricity using silicon.
Geothermal energy uses underground steam or hot water. In Spain, its use is limited, mainly for heating greenhouses and spas.
Tidal power utilizes the force of seawater. In Spain, experimental plants are being built to harness wave power
Read MoreHydrostatic Pressure and Fluid Dynamics: Key Principles
Pascal’s Principle
Pascal stated that there is a fundamental difference between solids and liquids. Solids transmit forces only in the direction they are applied. In contrast, both fluids transmit pressures in all directions. This property has been proven experimentally since antiquity and is known as Pascal’s Principle. It can be phrased as: “Pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to every portion of the fluid and the walls of the containing vessel.”
Hydrostatics
Hydrostatics
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