The Earth’s Layers

Crust The crust is the outermost layer. It ranges from 5- 60 km in depth. It is divided up into the oceanic crust (which is the thinnest crust) and the continental crust (which is the thickest).

Crust The crust is less dense than the other layers. It is less than one percent of Earth’s mass.

Crust The crust is broken into many pieces called plates – which move along the soft mantle underneath crust.

Mantle The mantle is the thickest layer. It is 2900 km in depth. Sixty-seven percent of the Earth’s mass is located in the mantle. Temperatures can reach up to 2800 degree Celsius. The Lithosphere is located in the upper mantle.

Mantle The convection currents located in the mantle creates the movement of the Earth’s plates.

Outer Core The outer core consists of liquid nickel and iron. The temperature of the outer core ranges from 4000 – 5000 degrees Celsius.

Inner Core The inner core is a dense, solid consisting of iron and nickel. It is the most dense layer. It is around 1250 km thick. Temperatures are between 5000 and 6000 degrees Celsius.

Asthenosphere It lies below the lithosphere Upper part of the mantle Hotter, softer Rock that will flow slowly

Asthenosphere Motion of the asthenosphere causes the continents to drift, along with Convection Currents What are Convection Currents?

Lithosphere Bottom part of Earth’s crust and the very top of the mantle Most rigid of all layers Approximately 100km thick Sits on top of the Asthenosphere