LAYERS OF THE EARTH

1. Crust (1st layer)

thinnest and outermost layer Remember,
it is the place we live Thin materials aren't always
light like coins in water, and
0-100km thick thick materials aren't always
has two types: heavy like ice cubes floating at
the top of a glass of water.
1. Continental Crust
- about 40-70km thick
- light granitic rocks and aluminum silicates
- thicker and less dense
2. Oceanic Crust
- underlies the oceanic floor
- basaltic rocks and magnesium silicate
- thinner and denser
2. Mantle (2nd layer) 2. Inner Core
thickest layer - solid
makes up 80% earth - thinner
carries most of its mass - intense pressure
composed of ferro-magnesium silicate rocks - 4,300 - 6,000°C
the deeper into the mantle, the hotter it gets INTERFACES
high temperature, high pressure - interfaces mark the boundaries between the layers of
oxides make the mantle hard and rigid solid the earth
heat is transferred through thermal convection A. Mohorovicic Discontinuity - between the crust and
(cycle of heating - rising - cooling - sinking of rock upper mantle.
materials) B. Gutenberg Discontinuity - between the lower mantle
also has two layers: and upper core.
1. Upper Mantle C. Lehmann Discontinuity - between the outer core and
- cooler and brittle

Plate Tectonics
sold inner core.
2. Lower Mantle
- hotter and softer
A. Lithosphere movement of plates that interact slowly over underlying
- compromised by the crust and the upper mantle mantle
- rigid layer that can break under stress "plates" - earth's lithosphere broken into pieces
- has minor and major blocks PLATE TECTONIC THEORY
- contains tectonic plates that can move due to: - initiated by Alfred Wegener and also credited for the
establishment of the theory
DRIVING FORCES RESISTING FORCES - proposed in 1912
Slab Pull Slab Resistance - movement of the plates are:
Collisional Resistance 1. Thermal Convection
Slab Suction
Transform Fault
Ridge Push 2. Ridge Push
Resistance
Mantle Convection Drag Force
- moving apart at spreading centers
- SUBDUCTION (One edge of the lithosphere subducts or 3. Slab Pull
descends) - one edge of plate is pulled down into the mantle
B. Asthenosphere 4. Trench
- located below the lithosphere - formed by subduction; long narrowed, v-shaped
- contains hot molten rocks or magma depression
- can deform and reshape driven by heat energy which PANGEA or PANGAEA
circulates as convection currents. - supercontinent that separated throughout the years
PANGEA ULTIMA/PANGEA PROXIMA
3. Core (3nd layer) - possible future supercontinent configuration
densest layer
has a liquid and solid part
has the highest temperature and pressure
Mountain Formation
natural elevation of the earth's surface
has two distinct layers: OROGENY/OROGENESIS
1. Outer Layer - geological process that are associated with large
- liquid scale movements of the earth's crust
- thicker mountains are formed by the movement of plates
- made of molten nickel and iron two continental plates collide
- 3,700 to 4,300°C mountains get taller and taller
- responsible for the planet's magnetic field
TYPES OF MOUNTAIN FORMATION
1. Fold Mountain
- most common type
- formed because of compressional force
- folded when plates are pushed together
ex. Sierra Madre, Mt. Bulag, Himalayas Mountain, and
Andres Mountain (found in America).
How was Himalayas formed?
- collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate
2. Upwarped/Dome Mountain
- dome-shaped
- result of a great amount of melted rock
- when magma cools, it solidifies rock that forms a
slope
- consists of broad area
ex. Black Hills, Dome Mountain, Cancajanag Volcano
3. Fault Block Mountain
- formed because of cracks or crevices
Earthquakes
independent shaking of the earth's surface

Faults
- one block sides down/collapses because of gravity release of energy in the earth's lithosphere
- two types of block:
a. Graben - falls under gravity
cracks or fractures
b. Horst - stays in position
ex. Sierra Madre (most common), Mt. Malindig
(found in Marinduque)

Volcanoes
opening in the surface of the earth
allows hot molten rock ash or any gases to escape
How are volcanoes created?
1. collision of plates (same/different)
2. when plates spread apart (underwater) ex. San Andreas - one of the most dangerous type of
3. Hotspot Volcanism - molten rock ashes, youngest fault
always has the hotspot Hayward - USA, Nevada, can trigger the San Andreas
fault
West Vally Fault - Philippines