Aim: How can we describe the different layers of the Earth? Do Now: How are Ogre’s like onions?

1.From the clip, identify the inner layers of the earth. 2.What is the outer core made of? How is it important? 3.Describe how the peach resembles the inner layers of the earth.

How are the inner layers of the earth like a peach!

Only about 7.5 miles into the earth’s crust which can be up to 25 miles deep under the continents. How far into the crust have we gone?

Activity I – Parts of Earth’s Interior Each pair of students will receive two envelopes: one containing reading passages and the other containing statements that describe the different parts of Earth’s interior. Use the reading passages to determine which statement represents the correct layer. Be sure to record your answers on your worksheet.

The Crust (Lithosphere) LayerThings to know What it is made of… Crust - Lithosphere Lithosphere  Thinnest of all layers – we live here  Composed of the crust and rigid mantle (upper most portion)  Divided into lithospheric plates  Continental Crust – granite rock - thick  Oceanic Crust – basalt - thin  Oxygen and Silicon

The Mantle (Asthenosphere and Stiffer Mantle) LayerThings to know What it is made of… Mantle Asthenosphere (Plastic Mantle)  Molten rock, more fluid like (taffy)  Convection currents - moves crustal plates  Iron, magnesium and silicon Stiffer Mantle (Lower Mantle)  More rigid rock (less fluid)

The Core (Inner and Outer) LayerThings to know What it is made of… Core – Inner and Outer Outer Core  Liquid layer  Creates the earths magnetic field (constant motion due to earths rotation)  Iron and nickel (Composition that is similar to meteorites) Inner Core  Solid layer

Summary 1.How do we differentiate between the inner and outer core? 2.How can we describe the different layers of the Earth? 3.Why is having a liquid iron core important to the Earth?

Earth’s Crust (Lithosphere) What is below Earth’s surface? Like a hard-boiled egg, Earth has three basic layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core. Each layer is separated due to the differences in their density. The shell of the egg represents the crust. The crust is the thin, outer layer of Earth that we live on. It is made of a rocky material and is abundant in oxygen and silicon. The crust forms the lithosphere. The lithosphere is composed of the crust and the rigid mantle (upper portion of the mantle). Like a cracked eggshell, the crust is divided into lithospheric plates of oceanic crust and continental crust. Beneath the oceans, the oceanic crust is from 5 to 10 km thick. Beneath the continents, the continental crust is from 32 to 70 km thick. The continental crust is mostly made of granitic rocks and the oceanic crust is mostly made of basaltic rocks. The thickest part of the crust is beneath the mountains. Earth’s Mantle (Asthenosphere and Stiffer Mantle) The layer of Earth beneath the crust is called the mantle. The Earth’s mantle is composed of the asthenosphere and the stiffer mantle (lower portion of the mantle). The asthenosphere is composed of molten rock and is more fluid-like where it flows like a very thick liquid upon which Earth’s lithospheric plates move. For example it moves like taffy or silly putty. Convection currents form within the asthenosphere layer which helps move these crustal plates. The stiffer mantle is composed of more rigid rock and is less fluid like. Earth’s mantle ranges from about 1,800 to 2,900 kilometers thick. The mantle contains high amounts of iron, magnesium, and silicon. More than two-thirds of the mass of Earth is in the mantle. Earth’s Core (Inner and Outer) The inner-most region of the Earth is the core. Through observations of meteorites, scientists infer that the composition of the core is made mostly of iron and nickel. The core has two parts: outer core and the inner core. The outer core is liquid and is about 2,250 kilometers thick. The Earth’s magnetic field is inferred to be controlled by the liquid outer core due to its constant spinning motion, which is a result of the earth’s rotation. The inner core is solid with a radius of about 1,300 kilometers thick. This is the hotter layer with temperature beyond 6,000ºC.

 Thinnest of all layers – we live here  Composed of the crust and rigid mantle  Divided into lithospheric plates  Continental Crust – granite rock - thick  Oceanic Crust – basalt - thin  Oxygen and Silicon

 Molten rock, more fluid like (taffy)  Convection currents – moves crustal plates  More rigid rock (less fluid)  Iron, magnesium, and silicon

 Liquid layer  Creates the Earth’s magnetic field (constant motion due to Earth’s rotation)  Solid Layer  Iron and Nickel