CGC1D Layers of the Earth

Earth’s Layers The earth is divided into four main layers Crust Mantle Outer Core Inner Core

Crust The Crust is the part of the earth that has been exposed to the atmosphere Once it’s exposed, it hardens and cools This is the layer where we habitat Exists under the oceans as well

Crust The Crust is similar to the skin of an apple It is the thinnest layer of the earth Its broken into many pieces (puzzle) These pieces are called Tectonic Plates Tectonic plates move by the pressure of hot magma flowing underneath

Tectonic Plates Tectonic plates are similar to puzzle pieces They move based on pressure from underneath the crust There are three types of plate boundaries: Divergent Convergent Transform

Tectonic Plates Divergent Boundary Tectonic plates separate from one another They are pulled apart from magma underneath Once they pull apart, magma rises and cools once exposed to the air

Tectonic Plates Convergent boundary Plates are crashing toward ones another This occurs due to pressure from underneath Ex: Earthquakes and volcanoes

Tectonic Plates Transform boundary Plates slide against one another Movement is not smooth Plates can lock together and get stuck Ex. Earthquakes

Mantle Layer below the crust This is the largest layer of the earth Solid rock that flows very slowly Magma flows underneath the crust and rises to the surface through cracks between the plates This layers helps create pressure against the tectonic plates

Core Outer core: superheated liquid molten lava Inner core: very hot that it is solid Temperatures are so high that metals are squeezed together