Properties, Systems, Interior, Exterior Earth’s Layers Properties, Systems, Interior, Exterior
Physical Properties of Earth Spherical Aristotle suspected in 350 B.C. Satellites and space probes proved this in late 20th century Formed by gravity 4.6 bya Physical Properties of Earth Diameter (pole to pole) 12,714 km Diameter (equator) 12,756 km Circumference (poles) 40,008 km Circumference (equator) 40,075 km Mass 5.98 x 1024 kg Avg. Density 5.52 g/cm3 Avg. Dist. to Sun 149,6000,000 km Period of rotation (1 day) 23 h, 56 min Period of revolution (1 year) 365 days, 6 h, 9 min
2. Earth Systems Atmosphere Geosphere Biosphere Cryosphere Hydrosphere Gases surrounding Earth Geosphere Earth’s solid body Biosphere Living organisms on Earth Cryosphere Frozen water on Earth Hydrosphere Liquid water on Earth
3. Earth’s Interior Temperatures and Pressures increase with Depth! Deepest well; > 12 km 3. Earth’s Interior Temperatures and Pressures increase with Depth! Crust Outermost layer 5 – 100 km thick Made of Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum Mantle Layer of Earth between the crust and the core Contains most of the Earth’s mass Has more magnesium and less aluminum and silicon than the crust. It is denser than the crust Inner Core/Outer Core Below the mantle and to the center of the Earth Believed to be mostly Iron, smaller amounts of Nickel, almost no Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum, or Magnesium ~ 2,000 mi thick
Earth’s Layers The Earth's rocky outer crust solidified billions of years ago, soon after the Earth formed. This crust is not a solid shell; it is broken up into huge, thick plates that drift atop the soft, underlying mantle.
4. Lithosphere Rigid upper-most layer of Earth Chunks of Lithosphere are “plates” Made up of CRUST & UPPER MANTLE
5. Asthenosphere Flowing part of mantle below the Lithosphere. The Lithosphere “floats” on Asthenosphere Made up of the MIDDLE MANTLE
…? 6. Magnetosphere Core of Earth is made of iron. Inner core “spins” faster than the outer core. Protects Earth from solar rays, winds and other particles. …?
7. Earth’s Surface Landforms Ocean-forms Plains, Plateaus, Mountains, Canyons, Buttes, Peninsulas and Valleys Ocean-forms Ocean Floor, Islands, Deltas, Estuaries, Beaches, Coral reefs and Submarine Canyons