The Structure of the Earth!

Earth Structure The Earth is divided into three main layers. *Core *Mantle *Crust God planned the depths of the Earth Psalm 139:8 reminds us that he is present there too: “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” God uses the Earths deep layers to sustain the rest of the Earth.

Core * The core is the central portion of the Earth. * Even though its deep within the Earth the core is very important to what happens on the crust.

Inner Core * The inner core is the solid center of the earth * The inner core of the Earth has temperatures and pressures so great that the metals are squeezed together and are not able to move.

Outer Core * The core of the Earth is like a ball of very hot metals. * The outer core is the liquid layer of the Earth’s core that surrounds the inner core. * The outer core is made up of iron and is very dense.

The Earth’s Magnetic Field * That iron core forms the engine that drives the Earth’s magnetic field. * The heat inside the core keeps currents of molten iron flowing in the outer core * Those currents produce electric currents, which in turn create a magnetic field called the magnetosphere.

Questions * What is the Earth’s core like? * Why is the inner core solid even though it is so hot? * How does the design of the inner core affect other parts of the Earth?

The Mantle The mantle is the portion of the Earth’s interior that extends from the bottom of the crust to the outer core. The mantle is the largest layer of the Earth – 83% of the total volume, in fact. The mantle is divided into two regions: the upper and lower sections.

The Lower Mantle The lower mantle is hot and flexible and under great pressure

The Upper Mantle The asthenosphere is the layer of the upper mantle composed of low density rock material that is semiplastic The lithosphere is the outermost, rigid layer of the Earth composed of the stiff upper layer of the mantle and crust

Questions * How are the layers of the mantle alike and how are they different? * How much of the Earth’s volume is mantle? * What is plasticity?

The Crust * The crust is the thin, hard outer layer of the Earth upon which we live. *The continental crust is the crust on which the continents rest. * The oceanic crust is the crust beneath the oceans.

Questions * What is the crust (besides the yucky part of your pepperoni pizza)? * Describe the features of the Earth’s crust? * Compare the continental crust with the oceanic crust. * How do you think the Earth would be different if God had created all of the crust from the same material?