Layers of The Earth
Composition (What is it made of?)
• Divided into 3 layers:• Crust• Mantle• Core
The Crust: Rigid Outer LayerCONTINENTAL
• Thick• Less dense• Made of granite
OCEANIC• Thin• Very dense• Made of basalt
Continental Crust Oceanic Crust
Mantle
The Mantle
• Thickest layer• Hot, slow-flowingsolid rock• Made of magnesium
The Core
• Center of the Earth• Densest layer• Made of mostly iron and nickel• Divided into 2 parts
Physical Layers• Divided into 5 layers based on:– Temperature– Density– Ability to flow (solid/liquid)
LithosphereAsthenosphere
Mesosphere
Outer Core
Inner Core
Lithosphere• Outermost, rigid layer (solid)• Divided into tectonic plates• Made of the crust and upper mantle• Thinnest layer
Lithosphere
Asthenosphere• Soft solid• Tectonic plates float on this layer• Moves as fast as your fingernails grow• Weak layer• “Putty”-like layer
Asthenosphere
Mesosphere• Solid• Strong• Thickest layer• Lower part of the Mantle
Mesosphere
Outer Core
• Liquid- rock melts• Surrounds the inner core
Outer Core
Inner Core
• Solid- due to extreme pressure• Dense center of the Earth• Hottest layer
Inner Core