Differentiation And Structure Earth Differentiation And Structure

Differentiation As the newly formed Earth was still liquid denser elements dropped to the core of the Earth and less dense elements floated up. Thus the Earth was divided into layers. This process is known as differentiation Most metals sank Lighter compounds, made of Oxygen and Silicon called silicates, rose to the surface.

The Layers of the Earth The Earth can be divided into four layers

The Inner Core Has a radius of about 1200 km (750 miles) Is solid Is composed Iron and Nickel About 6500 K

The Outer Core Extends from 1200 to 3500km from Earth’s center Is liquid Is composed of mostly Iron, Nickel and perhaps Sulfur Convection currents carry heat from the inner core to Mantle

Mantle Extends from 3500 to about 6300 km from Earth’s Center Is solid but flows Composed mostly of heavier silicates like olivine. Also has slow currents that carry heat to and affect the Crust

The Crust The last 20 -70 km to the surface. Is solid and rigid Is composed of lighter silicates like Quartz Is shattered into pieces that are shoved around by currents in the Mantle