The Earth’s Interior Crust (Lithosphere) Mantle Outer Core Inner Core
Inner Core The deepest part of the earth (1512 miles deep) is a solid that contains both iron and nickel. It is because of this that the center of the earth is a magnet, a compass. It generates a magnetic field that protects the earth from flying out of orbit.
Outer Core Outside of the inner core lays the outer core (1419 miles deep). liquid nickel and iron also contains sulphur and oxygen (which lowers the melting point).
Mantle Occupying 1789 miles of the earth is the magma (iron and magnesium) that makes up the mantle. Upper and lower It is extremely hot!! goopy; very plastic- like. (upper mantle) Mostly solid (lower mantle)
Crust Also called lithosphere This is the top layer of the earth, which is basically hardened mantle (magma). It contains two segments, the oceanic and continental crusts. Note: this is the same crust, it just depends how thick it is to determine if it is part of the Oceanic or Continental Crust.
Crust…cont’d For instance, if you drained all of the water from earth, then there would be one, giant Continental Crust. Likewise, if you flooded everything, you'd have one, giant Oceanic Crust.
Read About Earth’s interior Our Text p. 4-6
The Earth’s Interior – Layer Names Outer Core Lithosphere or crust Mantle - Lower Mantle - Upper Inner Core
The Earth’s Interior - Composition Liquid - magma Solid – hardened mantle Mostly Solid Goopy, plastic-like Solid – iron & nickel