Layers of the Earth

Questions Describe the main layers of the Earth: Crust Mantle Outer Core Inner Core Describe the sublayers of the Earth Lithosphere Asthenosphere Mesosphere Draw a picture of the layers of the Earth

Objective Compare and contrast the different layers of the Earth

The Earth The Earth is not the same all the way through There are different layers Each layer can then be split into other layers

The Big Picture There are 3 main layers inside the Earth Crust Mantle Core Outer Inner

The crust The crust The layer that we live on Very thin at only 3-60 miles thick We’ve only ever dug about 7 miles below the Earth’s surface Not very dense The crust floats on top of everything Two types of crust Oceanic (which is thin) Continental (which is thick) Only 1% of Earth’s entire mass Earth weighs 1.3 x 1025 lbs

The mantle The mantle The thickest layer at1800 miles thick Contains 67% of Earth’s mass We’ve never actually drilled down far enough to see it It’s a solid, with the texture of silly putty VERY hot, with lots and lots of pressure We couldn’t visit—it would kill us

The core Outer core Inner Core- The layer between the mantle and inner core 1370 miles thick Made of liquid iron which was mapped using earthquake waves 30% of Earth’s mass Inner Core- The very center of the Earth 760 miles thick Made of solid metal iron that swirls around Extreme heat and pressure (12,000 degrees) 2% of Earth’s mass

The core All together, the inner and outer core are slightly larger than the planet Mars

Structure of the Earth The Earth is further divided into several layers, each of which has different properties Each layer isn’t the same all the way through

Further layers of the Earth Lithosphere Means “rock sphere” Made of the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle This is the part of the Earth we live on Divided into tectonic plates  

Further layers of the Earth Asthenosphere Means “weak layer” Soft part of the upper mantle that moves pieces of the lithosphere Made of solid rock It’s like silly putty! Moves as fast as your fingernails grow  

Further layers of the Earth Mesosphere Means “middle sphere” The strong, thick lower part of the mantle

Layers of the Earth Lithosphere Asthenosphere Outer Core Inner Core Mesosphere

Video What would happen if you fell through the Earth? What’s on the exact opposite side of the world

Layers of the Mantle and Core #45 #46 #43 #44 #47