The Layers of Earth

The Layers of the Earth Inner Core Outer Core Mantle Crust

Layers of the Earth

Inner Core Solid, innermost layer of Earth Hottest part of the Earth (5000-7000oC 9000-13,000oF) The inner core experiences the greatest amount of pressure, so it’s solid. Dense and comprised mostly of iron and some nickel 1250 km thick Density- 12.5 g/cm3

Outer Core Beneath the mantle Inner and Outer Core are 1/3 of the earth’s mass fluid outer core made of nickel and iron outer boundary lies approximately 2,890 km beneath Earth’s surface the iron in the outer core generates Earth’s magnetic field 2200-2300 km thick 4000-5000 o C Density- 11.5 g/cm3

Mantle is very hot part melted and part solid iron and magnesium The region just below the crust and extending all the way down to the Earth's core is very hot part melted and part solid iron and magnesium It is relatively flexible so it flows instead of fracturing 2800 km thick- thickest layer 1400oC – 3000oC- cooler at the top of the layer and gets hotter as it goes deeper Density- 4.5 g/cm3

is the outer layer of the mantle Asthenosphere is the outer layer of the mantle solid rock that flows slowly (like hot asphalt) Lies between 100 and 200km below Earth’s surface Involved in plate movement- lithospheric plates “float” on it Convection currents circulate heat from the core- heated “liquid” rises and cooler “liquid” falls

Crust Thinnest layer; density 3 g/cm3 The Earth's outermost layer of the 4 main layers The crust is typically about 30-40 km thick beneath continents, and about 10 km thick beneath oceans. made of soil, water and rock The crust is relatively light and brittle. Most earthquakes occur within the crust. Temperature 0oC – 400oC Where volcanic magma erupts The crust in this image is much smaller in the real earth! Lithosphere Continental crust- land Oceanic crust- under water

Lithosphere Is made up of the Crust and the uppermost part of the mantle rigid outer layer Broken into 30 sections or plates Two types: Oceanic lithosphere, which is associated with Oceanic Crust and exists in the ocean basins Continental lithosphere, which is associated with Continental Crust

Color and Label the layers of the Earth.

Answers Inner Core Mantle Athenoshpere Crust Outer Core Lithosphere

Questions On a piece of paper answer the following questions. The planet we call Earth has how many main layers? What layer is farthest from where we stand? Which layer has the highest temperature? Which layer has convection currents? Which layer is broken into plates?