The Earth: The Miracle PlanetThe Earth: The Miracle Planet

The Earth in SpaceThe Earth in Space

Facts about our PlanetFacts about our Planet

The earth is one of nine planets in the Solar System.The earth is one of nine planets in the Solar System.

The sun is at the centre of the solar system and all ofThe sun is at the centre of the solar system and all of

the planets orbit the sun.the planets orbit the sun.

More than 6 billion people live on our planet.More than 6 billion people live on our planet. 2/3 of the earth’s surface is covered by water.2/3 of the earth’s surface is covered by water. 1/8 of the earth’s surface is covered by deserts1/8 of the earth’s surface is covered by deserts 1/10 of the earth’s surface is covered by mountains1/10 of the earth’s surface is covered by mountains 1/4 of the earth’s surface is covered by forests.1/4 of the earth’s surface is covered by forests.

Inside Planet EarthInside Planet Earth

If we could cut through theIf we could cut through the

earth like an apple we wouldearth like an apple we would

see that it is made up ofsee that it is made up of

3 different layers.3 different layers.

These are called the, These are called the,

1.1. The CrustThe Crust

2.2. The MantleThe Mantle

3.3. The CoreThe Core

Inside Planet EarthInside Planet Earth

The Structure of the EarthThe Structure of the Earth

The Earth’s CrustThe Earth’s Crust

The crust is the outer skin The crust is the outer skin of the earth. It is like the of the earth. It is like the skin on a piece of fruit or skin on a piece of fruit or the crust on bread.the crust on bread.

However, the earth’s crust However, the earth’s crust is made up of a layer of is made up of a layer of solid rock 10-60km thick.solid rock 10-60km thick.

This hard shell is where This hard shell is where we live.we live.

The MantleThe Mantle

Beneath the hard crust is a layer of hot, Beneath the hard crust is a layer of hot, soft rock called the mantle.soft rock called the mantle.

The rocks in the mantle are molten or The rocks in the mantle are molten or melted because it is so hot (4000 C).melted because it is so hot (4000 C).

This molten rock is called magma. This molten rock is called magma.

The CoreThe Core

Beneath the mantle, in the centre of the earth, Beneath the mantle, in the centre of the earth, we find the earth’s core. It is made of hot metals we find the earth’s core. It is made of hot metals such as iron and nickel.such as iron and nickel.

The core can be divided into an inner and an The core can be divided into an inner and an outer core.outer core.

The Outer Core is made of molten metals The Outer Core is made of molten metals because is so hot.because is so hot.

The Inner Core is made of solid metal because The Inner Core is made of solid metal because the pressure is so great.the pressure is so great.

The Earth’s Crust - PlatesThe Earth’s Crust - Plates The earth’s crust is not an The earth’s crust is not an

unbroken shell.unbroken shell. It is made up of a number of It is made up of a number of

different pieces, like the different pieces, like the surface of a leather football.surface of a leather football.

Each one of these pieces is Each one of these pieces is called a Plate. The plates fit called a Plate. The plates fit together like a jigsaw.together like a jigsaw.

Plates meet each other at Plates meet each other at plate boundaries.plate boundaries.

All of the plates have names, All of the plates have names, such as the Eurasian Plate such as the Eurasian Plate and the American Plate.and the American Plate.

The Earth’s PlatesThe Earth’s Plates

The Earth’s PlatesThe Earth’s Plates

The Earth’s PlatesThe Earth’s Plates

Plate MovementPlate Movement The plates which make up the earth’s crust are The plates which make up the earth’s crust are

continually moving.continually moving. This is because the plates are floating on top of the This is because the plates are floating on top of the

molten (melted) rock of the Mantle.molten (melted) rock of the Mantle. Convection currents within the mantle cause the molten Convection currents within the mantle cause the molten

rock to move, thus moving the plates floating on top of rock to move, thus moving the plates floating on top of them.them.

This movement is very slow, but it means that the plates This movement is very slow, but it means that the plates continually collide, pull apart, and push past one another.continually collide, pull apart, and push past one another.

Plate MovementPlate Movement

Continental DriftContinental Drift We now know that the plates We now know that the plates

move because they are move because they are floating on top of the mantle.floating on top of the mantle.

The continents, such as The continents, such as America and Africa, are America and Africa, are attached to the American Plate attached to the American Plate and the African Plate.and the African Plate.

Therefore, when the plates Therefore, when the plates move, the continents move move, the continents move too. This movement of the too. This movement of the continents is called continents is called Continental Continental Drift.Drift.

Continental Drift is still Continental Drift is still occurring today. For e.g. occurring today. For e.g. Europe is still slowly moving Europe is still slowly moving away from America.away from America.