Rocks, Volcanos, and Magnetic Fields

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is part of a long-time running story that takes place in a northern province of Tamriel, a continent that is not unlike the original formation of Pangaea. This landform has been around for many centuries and proves it age with the formation of sedimentary rock.

 

The sedimentary rock formations I have noticed recently in Skyrim prove the land's age because there are many instances of strata. This is rock that has been deposited in  layers for so many years that it formed a layered looking rock wall in this cave I was exploring.

Basing my judgement off of its likeness to Mt. Fuji, I think the mountain range I was in was a mafic and felsic composite volcano. Meaning it would probably form around a subduction zone where one tectonic plate was being pushed under another. (The main stratovolcano is called the Throat of the World, seen here in the background)

 The last thing I thought of going through Skyrim is that the actual planet this province is on must be very similar to Earth. This planet is distant enough from it's sun to maintain life, liquid drinkable water, as well as an atmosphere. The biggest proof of the latter is the magnetic field (very similar to Earth's own) that protects the planet from solar radiation. (Magnetic field shown below causes Auroras just like the ones that can be witnessed close to the magnetic poles here on Earth).

 

The overarching theme here is the planet Skyrim is on closely resembles our own planet. It maintains many of the things Earth does to make sure it can sustain life. Many of the land formations show development through time. Learning about Earth's geology has definitely helped me to understand how intensely developed this game is and the amount of detail that was contributed.