Comparing the Layers of Earth

Name: _____KEY________________________

Crust

MA
Lithosphere

Temperature

Density
(Thickness or
Depth)
In Kilometers

Composition
(What is
each layer
made of?)
(How can
this layer be
described?)
Distinctive
Characterist
ics
(What makes
this layer

Air temp to
1600 F

5-70 km

Oceanic mostly
basalt
(thinnest crust)
Continental
mostly granite
(thicker crust)

On the crust you

will find rocks,
mountains, soil
and water, etc

1600 F

...NT.
Asthenosphere

To

LE
Lower Mantle

6700F

M
(2867 km =
O
H
Approx. 100 km
O

Density of whole

Mantle)

300 km

2,467 km

Rigid layer
similar to the
crust, rocky;

Soft and can

bend like plastic;

Solid

D
I
S
C
O
N
T
I
N
U
I
T
Y

lithos means
stone

asthenes means
weak; it is still
solid (you can
stub your toe on
it!)

Rigid, rocky

Slowly flowing

(Made up by part
of the crust)

(This layer
makes the plates
move!)

Semi-rigid

Outer Core

Inner Core

6700 7800 F

7800 13000 F
HOTTEST!

G
U
T
E
2,266 km
N
B
E
R Liquid molten
G (melted) metal
D
I
S
C
O
N
T
I
N
U
I
T

made of
Iron (Fe),
Nickel (Ni)

High temps
inside Earth
from the
formation of
the planet
keeps the Fe

1,216 km

Dense solid
metal ball made
of Iron (Fe)
and Nickel (Ni)

Extreme
pressure
squeezes the
atoms of Fe &
Ni so much
they cannot

special?)

Y and Ni liquid ;

spread out &

Creates Earths become liquid;
magnetic field
keeping the
inner core solid