Earth Journey to the Center of the Earth

Earths Layers Earth’s layers formed as a result of the denser, heavier minerals being pulled in more by gravity.

Facts about the layers Inner core –Solid iron and nickel Outer core –Liquid iron and nickel Mantle –Minerals that are in constant motion Crust –Top layer of the earth Inner core –Solid iron and nickel Outer core –Liquid iron and nickel Mantle –Minerals that are in constant motion Crust –Top layer of the earth

Structure of the Earth The Earth is made up of 3 main layers: –Core –Mantle –Crust The Earth is made up of 3 main layers: –Core –Mantle –Crust Inner core Outer core Mantle Crust Ms. Nikki

So what IS the Lithosphere? The lithosphere is made up of the crust and small layer of the upper mantle that together form large chunks or plates that move gradually because they ride on hotter mantle. These plates make up the surface of the Earth. d= # The lithosphere is made up of the crust and small layer of the upper mantle that together form large chunks or plates that move gradually because they ride on hotter mantle. These plates make up the surface of the Earth. d= #

Tectonic Plates How is the Earth like a broken cookie?

If you look at a map of the world, you may notice that some of the continents could fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

World Plates

Continents of the Past “Pangaea” : exists ~ 225 million years ago – Supercontinent: the only continent on Earth Division of Pangaea ~ 135 million years ago –Into “Laurasia” (N. Hem) Included modern North America & Eurasia –And “Gondwana” (S. Hem) Included modern South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Madagascar, India and New Zealand “Pangaea” : exists ~ 225 million years ago – Supercontinent: the only continent on Earth Division of Pangaea ~ 135 million years ago –Into “Laurasia” (N. Hem) Included modern North America & Eurasia –And “Gondwana” (S. Hem) Included modern South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Madagascar, India and New Zealand

250 Million Years Ago

200 Million Years Ago

135 Million Years Ago Jurassic Period

65 Million Years Ago

Present Day

In 50 Million Years

In 150 Million Years

In 250 Million Years

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How and Why do Earth Plates move?

What is a convection current? A convection current is a circular flow due to molecules heating, moving faster, and becoming less dense-so they weigh less and rise. When they cool, they move slower and closer together-so they weigh more per space and sink. A convection current is a circular flow due to molecules heating, moving faster, and becoming less dense-so they weigh less and rise. When they cool, they move slower and closer together-so they weigh more per space and sink.

1. Molecules heat and become less dense

Facts about the layers Crust –Outer layer –5-100 km thick –2 types of crust Oceanic (very dense, made of basalt) Continental (less dense, made of granite) Crust –Outer layer –5-100 km thick –2 types of crust Oceanic (very dense, made of basalt) Continental (less dense, made of granite)

Plate Movement “Plates” of lithosphere are moved around by the underlying hot mantle convection cells

Divergent Convergent Transform Divergent Convergent Transform Three types of plate boundary

Spreading ridges –As plates move apart new material is erupted to fill the gap Spreading ridges –As plates move apart new material is erupted to fill the gap Divergent Boundaries

What happens when plates move toward each other? This is called a Convergent boundary –The continental plates push up and make mountains OR This is called a Convergent boundary –The continental plates push up and make mountains OR

Plate Boundaries It’s called Subduction –When one plate (oceanic) dives under the other (continental). It’s called Subduction –When one plate (oceanic) dives under the other (continental).

Subduction

Plate Boundaries Transform boundary –Happens when 2 plates besides each other move in opposite directions Transform boundary –Happens when 2 plates besides each other move in opposite directions

Age of Oceanic Crust Courtesy of