Transcript Inside the Earth

11/26/14
INSIDE THE EARTH
EARTH

Made of up several layers
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Studied in two ways:
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

Composition (elements)
Physical properties
(temperature, density)
Three Physical layers
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

Crust (least dense material)
Mantle
Core (most dense material)
CHEMICAL LAYERS OF EARTH

Properties include
temperature, density,
and ability to flow
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Five layers:
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
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Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Mesosphere
Outer Core
Inner Core
LITHOSPHERE
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Outermost, rigid layer

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Two parts
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“Rock sphere”
Crust
Rigid upper part of mantle
Divided into pieces
called tectonic plates
ASTHENOSPHERE
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Soft layer of mantle

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Solid rock that flows very
slowly (like putty)


“Weak sphere”
About same rate that your
fingernails grow
Pieces of lithosphere
move on top of this layer
MESOSPHERE
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Strong, lower part of mantle
 “Middle
sphere”
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Extends from bottom of asthenosphere down to
Earth’s core
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Differences in density and rigidity from
asthenosphere
OUTER CORE
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Liquid layer



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Lies beneath mantle and
surrounds inner core
Temperature range from
4,400 to 5,100 °C
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INNER CORE
Solid, dense center of planet

Bottom of outer core to center
of planet

Temperature ranges from
5,100 to 6,200 °C

Discovered through use of
earthquake generated
seismic waves
Outer  Inner
Convection of liquid metal
results in Earth’s magnetic
field
OUTER AND INNER CORE
THE CRUST

Outermost layer


Thinnest layer also
Two types of crust:


Continental (granite-like)
Oceanic crust (basalt-like)


Denser than continental
Layer we know most
about
THE MANTLE

Layer between crust
and core


Extremely thick
Contains most of Earth’s
mass

Too deep to drill to

Underwater volcanoes
serve as “windows”
THE CORE

Layer below the mantle
to center of Earth
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Composed mostly of iron
(Fe) and smaller
amounts of nickel (Ni)

Makes up about 33% of
Earth’s mass