1. Properties, Systems, Interior, Exterior
Earth’s Layers
Properties, Systems, Interior, Exterior

2. Physical Properties of Earth
Spherical
Aristotle suspected in 350 B.C.
Satellites and space probes proved this in late 20th century
Formed by gravity 4.6 bya
Physical Properties of Earth
Diameter (pole to pole)
12,714 km
Diameter (equator)
12,756 km
Circumference (poles)
40,008 km
Circumference (equator)
40,075 km
Mass
5.98 x 1024 kg
Avg. Density
5.52 g/cm3
Avg. Dist. to Sun
149,6000,000 km
Period of rotation (1 day)
23 h, 56 min
Period of revolution (1 year)
365 days, 6 h, 9 min

3. 2. Earth Systems Atmosphere Geosphere Biosphere Cryosphere Hydrosphere
Gases surrounding Earth
Geosphere
Earth’s solid body
Biosphere
Living organisms on Earth
Cryosphere
Frozen water on Earth
Hydrosphere
Liquid water on Earth

4. 3. Earth’s Interior Temperatures and Pressures increase with Depth!
Deepest well; > 12 km
3. Earth’s Interior
Temperatures and Pressures increase with Depth!
Crust
Outermost layer
5 – 100 km thick
Made of Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum
Mantle
Layer of Earth between the crust and the core
Contains most of the Earth’s mass
Has more magnesium and less aluminum and silicon than the crust. It is denser than the crust
Inner Core/Outer Core
Below the mantle and to the center of the Earth
Believed to be mostly Iron, smaller amounts of Nickel, almost no Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum, or Magnesium
~ 2,000 mi thick

5. Earth’s Layers
The Earth's rocky outer crust solidified billions of years ago, soon after the Earth formed.
This crust is not a solid shell; it is broken up into huge, thick plates that drift atop the soft, underlying mantle.

6. 4. Lithosphere Rigid upper-most layer of Earth
Chunks of Lithosphere are “plates”
Made up of CRUST & UPPER MANTLE

7. 5. Asthenosphere Flowing part of mantle below the Lithosphere.
The Lithosphere “floats” on Asthenosphere
Made up of the MIDDLE MANTLE

8. …? 6. Magnetosphere Core of Earth is made of iron.
Inner core “spins” faster than the outer core.
Protects Earth from solar rays, winds and other particles. …?

9. 7. Earth’s Surface Landforms Ocean-forms
Plains, Plateaus, Mountains, Canyons, Buttes, Peninsulas and Valleys
Ocean-forms
Ocean Floor, Islands, Deltas, Estuaries, Beaches, Coral reefs and Submarine Canyons