Layers of the Earth Jennifer Suppo, Ed.D. Seton Hill University
Earth Layers The Earth is divided into four main layers. *Inner Core *Outer Core *Mantle *Crust
The Crust * The Earth’s crust is like the skin of an apple. It is very thin compared to the other three layers. *The crust makes up 1% of the Earth. * The crust of the Earth is broken into many pieces called plates.
The Mantle The mantle is the layer below the crust. The mantle is the largest layer of the Earth.
Outer Core * The core of the Earth is like a ball of very hot metals. * The outer core is liquid. * The outer core is made up of iron and is very dense.
Inner Core * The inner core of the Earth has temperatures and pressures so great that the metals are squeezed together and are not able to move. * The inner core is a solid.
Creating a clay model of the Earth
The Steps to Making the Layers! 1)First you will need to gather your materials using the material checklist.
The Steps to Making the Layers! 2) Roll the yellow clay in a small ball (represents inner core).
The Steps to Making the Layers! 3) Using the rolling pin, roll out the red clay in a flat circular shape (represents the outer core)
The Steps to Making the Layers! 4) Wrap the red clay around the yellow ball.
The Steps to Making the Layers! 5. Using the rolling pin, roll out the orange clay in a flat circular shape (represents the mantle)
The Steps to Making the Layers! 6. Wrap the orange clay around the red ball.
The Steps to Making the Layers! 7. Using the rolling pin, roll out the blue clay in a flat circular shape.
The Steps to Making the Layers! 8. Now take the green clay and separate the clay into 5 small pieces.
The Steps to Making the Layers! 9. Flatten the green pieces of clay.
The Steps to Making the Layers! 10. Press the green pieces of clay in different locations into the flattened blue clay.
The Steps to Making the Layers! 11. Using the rolling pin, roll the green clay into the blue clay until it is smooth.
The Steps to Making the Layers! 12. Wrap the green and blue clay around the orange ball (this represents the Earth’s crust).
The Steps to Making the Layers! 13. Take the knife and cut the clay model of the Earth in half so as to see all the layers of the Earth.
Review 1)What are the four layers of the Earth? 2) The Earth’s crust is very ______? 3) The mantle is the largest layer of the Earth? True or False 4) Is the Outer Core a liquid or a solid?
Answers! 1) Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core 2) Thin 3) True 4) Liquid