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INTRODUCTION
In Module 3, we discuss partly the layers of
the Earth in our attempt to understand the earth’s
four subsystems.
Earth is composed of four main layers,
starting with an inner core at the planet's center,
enveloped by the outer core, mantle and crust.The
inner core is a solid sphere made of iron and nickel
metals about 1,221 kilometers in radius. There the
temperature is as high as 5,400 degrees Celsius.
Surrounding the inner core is the outer core.
This layer is about 2,300 kilometers thick, made of
iron and nickel fluids.In between the outer core Figure 1. Structure of
and crust is the mantle, the thickest layer. This hot, Earth(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structure_of_Earth)
viscous mixture of molten rock is about 2,900
kilometers thick and has the consistency of caramel. The outermost layer, Earth's crust, goes about 30 kilometers
deep on average on land. At the bottom of the ocean, the crust is thinner and extends about 5 kilometers from the
sea floor to the top of the mantle.
In this module, you should be able to identify and differentiate the layers of the Earth.
At the end of Module 7, you are expected to answer the key question below:
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Describe the Earth’s interior (in terms of crust, mantle, core); and
2. Compare the Earth’s layers.
Let us determine how much you already know about the different layers of the Earth.
Take the test below.
Pre-Test
Multiple Choice
Select the correct letter.
1. This is the hottest and densest layer of the Earth. B. The pressure in the outer core is higher than
A. outer core the pressure in the inner core.
B. mantle C. The temperature in the outer core is lower
C. crust than the temperature in the inner core.
D. inner core D. The temperature in the outer core is higher
2. What material makes up the mantle? than the temperature in the inner core.
A. magma
B. iron 7. Which of the following layers generate the
C. nickel Earth's magnetic field?
D. basalt I. outer core
3. What causes the mantle to flow? II. inner core
A. induction III. crust
B. convection IV. mantle
C. radiation A. I only
D. intention B. I and II
4. What are the thickest and thinnest layers of the C. II and III
earth, respectively? D. I and III
A. mantle, crust
B. mantle, outer core 8. Which of the following metals are found in the
C. crust, mantle core?
D. inner core, mantle I. iron
5. Which of the following is the correct order of II. nickel
the layers of the Earth from the center of the III. lead
Earth to the outside. IV. magnesium
A. inner core> outer core> mantle> crust A. I only
B. inner core> outer core> crust > mantle B. II only
C. outer core> inner core> crust> mantle C. I and II
D. outer core> inner core> mantle> crust D. All of the above
6. Why is the inner core solid, but the outer core 9. What is the main difference between the
liquid, if both regions have very high asthenosphere and the lithosphere?
temperatures? A. behavior of the rock
A. The pressure in the outer core is lower than B. temperature of both layers
the pressure in the inner core. C. depth from the surface of the Earth
D. materials that make both layers
Glossary of Terms
Let’s learn about it!
Activity 1: Labelling
Figure 2. Photo adapted and modified from: Earth and Life Science TG p. 43
Activity 2: Describing
Use the following words below to describe the layers of the Earth on the illustration found at the right
side. You may use several descriptive words for a single layer. Right minus wrong. Use number
corresponding to the description
of each layer.
1. soft 9. middle layer
2. hard 10. weak
3. brittle 11. ductile
4. liquid 12. elastic
5. solid
6. thin
7. outermost Layer A Layer B
8. innermost
Layer C Layer D
Core structure
Most of what we know about the interior of the
Earth comes from the study of seismic waves from
earthquakes. Seismic waves from large earthquakes
pass throughout the Earth.These waves contain vital
Figure 4. Structure of the Earth
(https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/hazards/earthquakes/structur
EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE eOfEarth.html#:~:text=Seismic%20waves%20from%20large
K to 12 – Basic Education Curriculum %20earthquakes,pass%20though%20a%20glass%20prism.)
70 are
information about the internal structure of the Earth. As seismic waves pass through the Earth, they
refracted, or bent, like rays of light bend when they pass through a glass prism.
The crust
The crust is a very thin layer that measures
between 0 and 60 km. It has two layers and is
composed of two major kinds of rocks. The
thick continental crust, about 32 km, makes up
the land surface of the Earth and is composed
primarily of dense materials such as granite.
The thin oceanic crust has a depth of 5–10 km
and is made up of basalt which is less dense
than granite. The crust can be broken down into
plates which produce earthquakes when they
move along each other. Figure 5. The crust and the upper mantle
(https://link.quipper.com/en/organizations/547ffb0fd2b76d0002002393/curri
The mantle culum#curriculum)
Below the crust lies the dense mantle
which consists of dense silicate rocks. Both P-
and S-waves from earthquakes travel through
the mantle, demonstrating that it is
solid.However, there is separate evidence that
parts of the mantle behave as a fluid over very
long geological times scales, with rocks flowing
slowly in giant convection cells.
71
The core
The core is at the center of the Earth. In this
region, the temperature is hotter than the mantle.
It is divided into two parts: the outer core and the
inner core.
(https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/hazards/earthquakes/structur
eOfEarth.html#:~:text=Seismic%20waves%20from%20large
%20earthquakes,pass%20though%20a%20glass%20prism.)
Q2. How temperature, pressure, and density change as you travel deeper down the Earth?
Activity 4: Label-dragging
I need to explore!
Q8. If you cut an apple in half, you will see that it is composed of three parts: a thin skin, a flesh in which
the mass is concentrated, and seeds located at the center. Similarly, if you cut the Earth, you will see
layers: a crust on the outside, a mantle of significant weight, and a core at the center.
Q9. Research about how the layers of the Earth are formed.
What do I think?
Q10. What might happen to the Earth if the inner core melts?
Posttest
Essay
1. Discuss the composition of crust, mantle and core.
2. Describe how temperature, pressure, and density change as you travel deeper down the Earth.
3. Contrast continental crust and oceanic crust.
4. Discuss what the inner core is made up of and why it is solid. Contrast inner and outer core.
Activity 3 Rubrics
ACTIVITY 3
NEEDS MEETS EXCEEDS
NOT VISIBLE
IMPROVEMENT EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS
(4) (6) (8) (10)
Can state the relationship of the density
of matter to the distance of its individual
particle.
Can compare the density of materials of
the crust with that of the inner core.
Can explain why the outer core is liquid
while the inner core is solid.
Can reason out what will happen to gas
particles when subjected to high
pressure in the core.
EVALUATION Rubrics
EVALUATION
NEEDS MEETS EXCEEDS
NOT VISIBLE
IMPROVEMENT EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS
(4) (6) (8) (10)
Can discuss the composition of crust,
mantle and core.
Can describe how temperature, pressure,
and density change as you travel deeper
down the Earth.
Can contrast continental crust and
oceanic crust.
Can discuss what the inner core is made
up of and why it is solid and can
contrast inner and outer core.