1 st Quarter LEARNING MATERIAL IN GRADE 10 Science

Worksheet #1: Earth's Lithosphere; Oceanic & Continental Crust

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OBJECTIVE: You should be able to:
● Describe the Earth's lithosphere and differentiate oceanic and continental crust.
BIG IDEAS:
● The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of the Earth. The lithosphere includes the brittle upper portion of the
mantle and the crust, the outermost layers of Earth's structure. It is bounded by the atmosphere above and the
asthenosphere (another part of the upper mantle)below.
● The crust is the outer layer of the Earth. ... It is the solid rock layer upon which we live. ... Continental crust is
typically 30-50 km thick, whilst oceanic crust is only 5-10 km thick. Oceanic crust is denser, can be subducted
and is constantly being destroyed and replaced at plate boundaries.

●
If we subdivide the Earth based on rheology, we see the lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core,
and inner core. However, if we differentiate the layers based on chemical variations, we lump the layers into
crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.
● The mantle lies below the crust and is up to 2900 km thick.  It consists of hot, dense, iron and magnesium-
rich solid rock. The crust and the upper part of the mantle make up the lithosphere, which is broken into plates,
both large and small.
● The core is the centre of the earth and is made up of two parts: the liquid outer core and solid inner core. The
outer core is made of nickel, iron and molten rock. Temperatures here can reach up to 50,000 C.
● The inner core is under intense pressure, which keeps it solid despite high temperatures. The outer core, which
is liquid, is about 1300 miles (2092 km) thick. Both the inner and outer cores consist primarily of iron and
nickel and are extremely hot with temperatures ranging from 7200–9000℉ (4000–5000℃).
.
●

Prepared by: Norwena T. Eugenio- Teacher III - Victorino Mapa High School
 1 st Quarter LEARNING MATERIAL IN GRADE 10 Science

Part I:

Prepared by: Norwena T. Eugenio- Teacher III - Victorino Mapa High School
 1 st Quarter LEARNING MATERIAL IN GRADE 10 Science

Part II. Complete the Venn Diagram-compare & contrast the oceanic from continental crust below.

Oceanic Crust Continental Crust

Prepared by: Norwena T. Eugenio- Teacher III - Victorino Mapa High School