Transcript Layers of the Earth - Endeavor Charter School

Lesson: Earths Interior
Can we explore
inside earth?
The extreme temperature and
pressure conditions inside of
Earth’s interior prevent direct
exploration by geologist.
What is a
geologist?
Scientist who study the origin,
history and structure of the
Earth.
How do geologist Geologist have used two main
study earth’s
types of evidence to learn about
interior?
earths interior: direct evidence
from rock samples and indirect
evidence from seismic waves.
What are seismic
waves?
Vibrations that travel through
earth. Using the data from
seismic waves – the speed that
they travel and the paths that
they take, geologists have
learned that the earth is made
up of several layers.
What are the
layers?
From outermost to innermost
the layers are the crust, mantle
and the core. Each layer varies
greatly in size, composition,
temperature and pressure.
What is the
crust?
This is the layer of solid rock that
forms the earth’s outer skin. It
includes both dry land and ocean
floor. The crust is the thickest
under mountains and thinnest at the
ocean floor. Oceanic crust consists
of rocks such as basalt. Continental
crust consists of rock such as
granite.
The Crust
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Earth’s hard outer
shell
Light and brittle
It is cooler and more
rigid than the core
and mantle
What is the
mantle?
The layer of hot, solid rock beneath
the crust. This is also where magma
resides. This portion of earth’s
interior is divided into layers based
on physical characteristics.
What are the
layers of the
mantle?
The lithosphere, asthenosphere and
lower mantle.
Lithosphere
This is the uppermost part of the
mantle and is similar (rigid/solid) to
the crust.
Asthenosphere
This part of the mantle is
somewhat soft and can bend.
Although it is softer than the
lithosphere, it is still solid.
Lower Mantle
Located below the asthenosphere
this portion of the mantle is solid
all of the way to the core.
The Mantle
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Thick shell of rock
surrounding the
outer core
Part of the mantle is
flexible, allowing it
to bend
Makes up most of
the Earth’s mass
Layers of the Mantle
What is the
core?
This is the inner most layer of the
earth. Composed of the metals iron
and nickel. Contains an outer portion
and an inner portion.
Outer core
This is a layer of liquid (molten)
metal that surrounds the inner core.
Inner core
Made up of a dense ball of solid
metal. Extreme pressure squeezes
the atoms of iron and nickel so much
that they cannot spread out and
become liquid.
The Earth’s Core
 The
core is at
the center of
the Earth
 The center is
solid
 The outer layer
is so hot it is
molten
Why is the
inside of the
earth hot?
It is hot as a result of the heat left
over from the formation of the
planet. Also, the interior is further
heated from the release of energy
from radioactive substances inside
the earth.
Summary Questions
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Label the picture to the right.
What is the main type of rock in the oceanic
crust?
What are the layers of the mantle from top to
bottom?
What is the main difference between the outer
core and inner core?
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Summary Answers
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SEE BELOW.
The main type of rock in the oceanic crust is
basalt.
The layers from outside to inside are the
lithosphere, asthenosphere and lower mantle.
The outer core has the characteristics of a liquid
and the inner core is solid.
MANTLE
INNER CORE
CRUST
OUTER CORE