11/4/2020

EARTH’S
STRUCTUR E
E Q : W H AT A R E T H E I N T E R I O R L A Y E R S O F T H E
E A R T H ? E X P L A I N E A C H L AY E R .

TAKE A MINUTE TO WRITE DOWN WHAT

YOU KNOW ABOUT THE LAYERS OF THE
EARTH.

LAYERS OF THE
EARTH
• The Earth is made up of different
layers… just like an onion
– Crust
– Mantle
– Core

1
 11/4/2020

THE CRUST • The Crust is the outermost layer of the

Earth.

• Crust is the least dense layer of the

geosphere. Made up mostly of silicon and
oxygen.

• Continental Crust – land crust, four times

thicker than oceanic crust but less dense.

• Oceanic Crust – made of crustal rocks,

more dense than the continental crust.

CRUST CONTINUED…
• Crust is about 5-70 km thick

• The crust and the uppermost part of the mantle are

referred to as the lithosphere because of their rocky and
brittle make-up.

THE MANTLE
• The mantle is the thick middle
layer in the solid part of the
Earth’s surface.
• Volcanoes release molten rock
from the mantle.
• Contains Iron and Magnesium –
more dense than the crust.
• About 2,900km thick

2
 11/4/2020

PARTS OF THE MANTLE

• Uppermost Mantle(part of the lithosphere) – rocky and
brittle make up like the crust.
• Asthenosphere – plastic layer - temperatures are so hot
the rocks begin to melt – rock flows very slowly
• Upper Mantle – solid layer of the mantle, higher
temperatures but more pressure keeps these materials in
solid form.
• Lower Mantle – solid layer of the mantle, more dense
than the upper mantle.

CONVECTION CURRENTS

Although the mantle is predominantly solid, some parts are partially

melted and viscous.

Some elements can move create convection currents

• This is what allows for movement of Earth’s plates and provides the molten rock
for volcanoes

As magma is heated it rises in the mantle, as it cools it sinks

back down.

• Dense metallic center of the earth.

• Outer Core – Liquid part of the core

made up mostly of Iron and 2,200 km thick

• Inner Core – Dense ball of solid iron

crystals, such high pressure that even at
6,000 degrees Celsius the iron remains in a
solid state
– 1,275 km thick
THE CORE

3
 11/4/2020

THE CORE CONTINUED…

Magnetic fields produced by flowing molten rock
in the outer core are what allow us to use
compasses.

Not always accurate – direction and strength can

vary.

During several times in earth’s history the

direction has been reversed.

10

MAGNETOSPHERE
• Part of the
magnetic field that
surrounds earth.

• Provides protection
from the charged
particles coming
from the sun.

11

VOCABULARY

• Crust • Asthenosphere
• Mantle • Core
• Lithosphere • Magnetosphere

12

4
 11/4/2020

ASSIGNMENT

• Answer the EQ using at least 3 sentences

• Complete the Vocabulary

13