Earth's Structure as Suggested by the Qur'an (2/2)

He (Glorified and Exalted be He) also said that He set rawasi on top of it.

“He placed on the (earth) rawasi that stand firm and high above it. He blessed the earth and measured all things therein so that they would receive their nourishment in due proportion, in four days, according to (the needs of) those who seek (sustenance).” (Surah Fussilat, 41:10)

Rawasi, the plural of rasiyah, is based on the verb r-s-a. Its verbal past tense is used for a ship moored at its berth (rasiyah [berthed]), and its adjectival form as a noun denoting where a ship has been berthed or fixed.  In Arabic Dictionary, arsa is said to mean "to anchor, moor, berth place at anchor" The word rawasi is mentioned repeatedly in the Qur'an:
“Or, who has made the earth firm to live in, made rivers in its midst, set on it  rawasi,  and made a barrier between two bodies of flowing water? (Can there be another) god beside God. No, but most of them do not know.” (Surah An-Naml, 27:61)

“We have spread out the earth (like a carpet), placed on it firm and rawasi, and produced in it all kinds of things in due balance.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:19)

“God spread out the earth, set on it rawasi and flowing rivers. He made all kinds of fruit in two pairs, two and two. He draws the night as a veil over the day. Truly, in these things are signs for those who consider.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:3)

God has stated that rawasi have three distinct characteristics: they are soaring or immense (77:27), they are  there  "lest the  earth would cave in and  disappear  from  under  us,"  an  important  characteristic  mentioned repeatedly  (21:31;  16:15;  31:10),  and they  are  cast on top  of the  earth (41:10).

“And made therein rawasi that are lofty (in stature), and provided for you sweet (and wholesome) water.” (Surah Al-Mursalat, 77:27)

“We have set on the earth rawasi, lest it should cave from under you, and We have made broad highways (between them) for (people) to pass through and so they may receive guidance.” (Surah Al-Anbiya’, 21:31)

“And He has set rawasi on the earth, lest it should cave from under you, as well as rivers and roads that you may guide yourselves.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:15)

“He created the heavens without visible pillars. He placed rawasi on the earth, lest it should cave from under you, and scattered throughout it all kinds of beasts. We send rain from the sky and produce on the earth every kind of noble kind (of life) to grow on earth.” (Surah Luqman, 31:10)

“He placed rawasi on the (earth), high above it, blessed the earth, and measured therein all things so that in four days they would receive nourishment in due proportion and in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (sustenance).” (Surah Fussilat, 41:10)

These three characteristics are very indicative of what modem science calls lithosphere plates, which are defined as geological formations that form the planet's outer layer and bear the continents and the oceans. The Hutchinson Encyclopedia of the Earth refers to it as the "skin of the earth." So, rawasi are located on the planet's surface, which is the first characteristic mentioned by the Qur'an. Second, they are immense -74 kms thick. They are there "lest the earth will cave from under us." The lithosphere's plates float on semi molten rock, as opposed to sinking beneath it, for they have been blocked at the edges by mountains.

The earth is expanding, another fact that is mentioned repeatedly in the Qur'an.

“And we have extended the earth and set on it rawasi and produced therein every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs).” (Surah Qaf, 50:7)

“We have extended the earth out (like a carpet), set on it rawasi, and produced in it all kinds of things in due balance.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:19)

However, our planet is being reduced from its extremities by subduction zones located at the points of plate interface. In the Qur'an, one reads:
“Do they not see that We gradually curtail the land (under their control) from all its sides? God commands, and there is none to turn aside His command. He is swift to call (all) to account.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:41)

The disappearance of the continent-bearing rawasi (lithosphere plates) would have continued if there had been no mountain ranges located on the leading edge of one plate, for these ranges act as a wedge between this point and the subduction zone of the opposing plate. In fact, this function of stopping the rawasi from caving in is their most important role.

God mentioned in the Qur'an that He made mountains to function as wedges or pegs.

“And the mountains as pegs?” (Surah An-Naba’, 78:7)

The proof that mountains and rawasi are not synonymous is found in Qur'an 79:32, which explains how mountains, in their role as wedges or pegs, were "berthed" at the rawasi's edges to stop the latter from sinking and disappearing into the interior. Such an event would destroy the affected continents and all forms of life thereon.

“And He berthed the mountains.” (Surah An-Nazi’at, 79:32)

A parallel can be drawn between the rawasi and the plates of bone that form the human skull. The sutures between the bones, which appear on the human skull as a zigzag line, bear a marked resemblance to oceanic ridges and also allow the skull to grow without distorting its shape. Similarly, oceanic ridges allow the planet to expand under the ocean. Such growth produces horrific undersea volcanic eruptions that cannot be see n or felt on the surface. One can imagine that the rawasi are like the bones that make up the skull.  Just as the rawasi protect the earth's interior by serving as a heat insulator; they also protect man from the interior's heat.  This is similar to how the skull protects the human brain, eyes, and other organs from the heat, cold, and trauma of the environment. The suture between  the bone s of the skull closes at one  year of age , but the rawasi do not close, for the  earth's  interior is a sea of molten  'rock  up on  which  the  rawasi  continue to float and move  at the  rate  of about  half an inch  per  year. However, the rawasi are so immense that their movement is felt only when a major earthquake takes place, such as those that shook San Francisco recently.

To support what has been mentioned earlier, God describes how He is going to dismantle earth by reversing the process of creation. As mountains lock the rawasi together, they will be the first to go. Then, He will move the mountains at such a speed that they will seem to be clouds, after which He will blow them up and cause them to vanish. Once the mountains or pegs are removed, the earth will seem to be protruding in places, a phenomenon that probably will be due to the separation of the lithosphere plates and the prominence of their edges.

“One day We shall remove the mountains, and you will see the earth stretch as a level. We will gather them all together, and no one will be overlooked.” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:47)

“When the mountains vanish (like a mirage) ...” (Surah At-Takweer, 81:3)

“And the mountains will hither and thither.” (Surah At-Tur, 52:10)

“You see the mountains and think that they are fixed firmly. But they will pass away as clouds pass away. (Such is) the artistry of God, Who disposes of all things in perfect order, for He is well acquainted with all that you do.” (Surah An-Naml, 27:88)

“And the mountains will vanish, as if they were a mirage.”  (Surah An-Naba’, 78:20)

“They ask you about the mountains. Say, "My Lord will uproot them and scatter them as dust." (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:105)

“And the mountains shall be reduced to atoms.” (Surah Al-Waqi’ah, 56:5)

“And the mountains will be like wool ...” (Surah Al-Ma’arij, 70:9)