Bellringer 8/15/16 What lies on the Earth’s crust? What are the two types?
Inside the Earth
Composition Differences Chemical Composition Crust Mantle Core (Inner & Outer) Physical Composition Lithosphere Asthenosphere Mesosphere (middle Earth) The two systems naming Earth’s layers refer to the different properties they have. Chemical properties relate to its differences in chemical composition. Physical Composition relates to the anmount of pressure and differences in temperature and how the layers respond to this
The Earth vs. an Apple Crust = less than 1% of Earth’s mass Mantle = 67% of Earth’s mass Outer Core = 20% Inner Core 9%
The Crust The outermost layer of the Earth, just above the mantle. Crust makes up less than 1% of Earth’s mass 5- 25 miles deep Mass = the amount of matter and energy in an object
Two Types of Crust Continental Less density Thinnest layer of the Earth Deepest 328,000 feet deep or 62 miles Land mass not covered by water Oceanic Thinner and more dense Covered by ocean and seas Twice as much iron calcium and magnesium 16,400 feet deep =3 miles Density -
The Mantle The Layer of rock between the Earth’s crust & the outer core No one has ever visited or drilled through the Mantle More dense than crust (more metals) Magma that comes from the ocean floor and is the only experience we have with the mantle properties Depth 1800 miles
Outer Core A portion of the inner part of the Earth 1400 miles in depth Has virtually no oxygen Mainly hot molten rock. Outer Core is the liquid layer of the Eartyh’s core that lies beneath the mantle and surrounds the inner core
Inner Core The central part of the Earth below the mantle Source of Earth’s Magnetic polarity Solid dense, and Iron Rich, completely solid core The solid dense center of our planet, approximately 4000 miles from the Earth’s surface. Show students my globe, define magnetic polarity.
Physical Structure of the Earth
Plate tectonics- Unifying Theory
Lithosphere The solid outer layer of the Earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle 9-190 miles in depth Litho means rock, this is the strong, rocky layer of the Earth
Asthenosphere The soft “weak” layer of the mantle on which the tectonic plates move 250 km =820,000 feet in depth or 155 miles Plastic layer = (flexible or easily molded) Made up of solid rock that flows very slowly
Mesosphere Meso means middle Strong lower part of the mantle between the Astenosphere and the outer core Extends all the way into Earth’s core nearly 4000 miles to the center, or 20 million feet How far can we drill? So far, the deepest anyone has drilled into the earth is 10 kilometers. The hard crust of continents probably goes down at least another 200 kilometers. Below that lies a gooey layer called the mantle, which surrounds a liquid outer core and a solid inner core. Both inner layers are made mostly of iron.
Tectonic Plates: Plate Tectonics Pieces of the lithosphere that consist of the crust and rigid upper portion of the mantle Tectonic – Greek for “Builder” These processes are called tectonics because they are Earth builders and movers.
Major Tectonic Plates Pacific Plate (largest) Cocos Nazca North American Cocos Nazca South American African Eurasian Indian Australian Antartic Plate Major Tectonic Plates
Continental Drift A hypothesis (prediction) that states that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up and drifted to their present locations Have you ever looked at a map of the world and noticed how well the continents could actually fit together; Continental drift also explained why fossils of the same plant and animal species were found on similar places on other continents. Explains how well continents fit together.
Sea-Floor Spreading The process by which new oceanic crust forms as magma (molten lava) rises towards the surface and hardens. Crust is pushed back down, and crust spreads and moves the continents
Concepts Tectonic Plate Continental Drift Lithosphere Sea-Floor Spreading Asthenosphere Mid Ocean Ridge Mesosphere Inner Core Outer Core Crust Mantle Concepts
Summary The interior of the Earth is hot! Thanks to Alfred Wegener’s theory we now believe and have evidence that our continents are constantly moving Heat flow and movement of material within the Earth cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and create mountains and ocean floor The Earth has three main chemical layers and four mane physical layers