Earth’s Layers Pages C6-11
Earth’s Layers Crust-where we walk Mantle-thickest layer, made mostly of solid rock Core (Outer and Inner) – deep inside the earth, made of iron and nickel
How deep are the layers? Crust: 3-43 miles deep Mantle: about 1,790 miles deep Outer Core: about 1,410 miles deep Inner Core: about 750 miles deep
Which layer is the hottest? Inner Core-may be as hot as the sun
What are Plates? Continent-sized slabs that make up the crust and the mantle Plates are constantly moving, very slowly
Plates Move: Away from each other Toward each other Past each other
When Plates Move Together Mountains or Volcanoes are formed
When Plates Move Past Each Other Earthquakes occur
Railroad tracks after an earthquake.
For Discussion What are the three layers of the earth? Crust, Mantle, Core On which layer do we live? Crust
Which is the thickest layer? Mantle Which layer is the hottest? Inner Core
How often do earth’s plates move? They are in constant motion. At what speed do they move? Slowly (only a few centimeters per year)
What is formed when plates move together? Mountains and Volcanoes What happens when plates slide past each other? Earthquakes occur.