EARTH’S FORMATION AND

LAYERS
The formation of the earth is often ascribed to the following steps: (a)
accretion of centimeter-sized particles, (b) collision of kilometer-sized
planetesimals, (c) gravitational accretion of planetesimals, (d) formation
of molten planet, (e) differentiation.
 CORE
The center of the earth, which is made up of dense metals like nickel
and iron. Divided into solid inner core and liquid outer core. Both the
inner and outer core is magnetic and made up of iron and nickel,
however, the magnetic field of the Earth is attributed to the outer core.
The inner core is hotter than the outer core, but the outer core is much
bigger in diameter as compared to the former.
 LEHMANN DISCONTINUITY
The boundary between inner and outer core, derived from the Danish
seismologist Inge Lehmann who discovered the Earth’s core in 1936.
 MANTLE
The middle layer of the Earth mostly made up of rocks. It is the largest
layer in terms of thickness and is composed of molten rocks called
magma. It could be subdivided into lower and upper mantle. The lower
mantle is hot and exhibits plasticity. The higher pressure in the lower
mantle causes the formation of minerals different from the upper
mantle. Gutenberg discontinuity separates lower mantle from the outer
core.
 UPPER MANTLE
Together with Earth’s crust form the lithosphere which is relatively rigid.
The boundary between the upper mantle and Earth’s crust is called
Mohorovicic discontinuity. Meanwhile, the layer after the lithosphere is
called asthenosphere which plays critical role in the movement of plates
on the Earth’s surface according to plate tectonic theory.
 CRUST
The outermost layer of the Earth mainly composed of lighter elements:
silicon, oxygen, and aluminum. Two types of crust are continental and
oceanic. The continental is thicker than the oceanic crust because of
high elevation. This results to two varying types of crust the granitic
continental (lower density) and basaltic oceanic, which subsequently
results to varying elevations.
WHAT MAKES THE PLANET
EARTH HABITABLE?
• Earth is the only place in the known universe confirmed to host life
and is the only one known for sure to have liquid water in the surface.
These are reasons why planet earth is a unique one: (1) It has liquid
water; (2) Plate Tectonics; and (3) It has atmosphere that shelters it
from the worst of the sun’s rays.
• Earth is the only planet in the solar system that has a large amount of
liquid water. About 70% of the surface of the Earth is covered by
liquid or frozen water. Because of this, Earth is sometimes called “blue
planet.” Planet Earth is habitable because it has the right distance
from the sun. It is kept warm by an insulating atmosphere, and it has
the right chemical ingredients for life including water and carbon. It
can provide water, oxygen, useful biological products for human, and
has suitable weather and climate
• Earth, Venus, and Mars may have similarities: (1) They all are
terrestrial planets, made of solid rocks and silicates; (2) They all have
an atmosphere; (3) They all almost have the same time to rotate on
their axes; (4) Earth and Mars both have water; (5) They all have
carbon dioxide; and (6 )All have landforms. Earth, Venus, and Mars
have differences: (1) Venus has no water; (2) Venus and Mars don’t
have oxygen; and (3) Earth has life forms.