INSIDE

THE
EARTH

INTERIOR LAYERS
Earths interior is composed of 4 layers:

3 solid and 1 liquid

1. Crust
2. Mantle
3. Outer core
4. Inner core

The Crust
Outermost layer made of the lightest materials-rock , soil &
seabed
Divided into continental crust and oceanic crust.
thickness ranges from 8km beneath oceans to 40 km beneath
continents.
Continents are relatively light blocks floating high on the upper
mantle.
Seafloor is made of baslt, a denser rock that presses deeper
into the mantle.

The Mantle
Upper mantle and lower mantle -2900 km thick (approx 84% of
earths volume)
Temperature ranges 500 C near crust to 4000C near outer
core
Primarily solid, but the rock is so hot that parts of the mantle
flow under pressure.
Hot rock rises and cooler rock descends creating slow moving
currents.
Composed of Magnesium , Iron ,Aluminium, Silicon and
Oxygen.

The Outer Core

Liquid layer above the inner core- shell of molten iron, 2300 km
thick.
Cooler than outer core but still scorching hot at approx
4500C.
Mostly Iron ,plus Sulphur & Nickel
Electrically conducive liquid creates earths magnetic field.

The Inner Core

Centre of the earth Deepest layer ,6250 km under the surface

A solid ball of an iron alloy (sulphur & nickel traces)
Solidified state due to intense pressure .
2400 km in diameter , high pressure ,WHITE HOT like the sun
approx 6000C.

CROSS SECTION OF THE EARTH