The bottom mantle structure is hot and plastic-like. The upper mantle structure is rigid and cool. The movement of the plates of the lithosphere on top of the slowly moving asthenosphere accounts for the formation of many mountains and volcanoes, as well as for earthquakes. The asthenosphere is hot, and, like silly putty, it can flow. The consistency of the asthenosphere is like silly putty. This part of the mantle is called the asthenosphere. The plates of the lithosphere float on the upper mantle. Major layers of the Earth(from surface to interior):.Physical Properties (characteristics):Īs you travel from the surface of the earth towards the interior: Compare and contrast the different layers of the Earth.ġ. Recognize that an understanding of the motion of earthquake waves can help scientists formulate hypotheses about the Earth’s interior. Scientists use earthquakes to study the Earth’s interior.ĭiscuss how scientists study the structure of the Earth’s interior. The Earth is made of layers, each with its own distinct chemical and physical properties. But unlike the outer core, the enormous pressure at this depth pushes the particle of iron and nickel so tightly together that the elements remain solid. The temperature of the inner core reaches 5000 degrees Celsius. Inner Core: The inner core is about 1300 km thick. The temperature ranges from 2200-5000 degrees Celsius, and the heat makes the iron and nickel molten, or change into a hot liquid. The outer core is made of the metals iron and nickel. Outer Core: The outer core is about 2250 km thick. The density of the mantle increases with depth, as do temperature and pressure. The mantle is composed mostly of the elements silicon, oxygen, iron, and magnesium. The mantle is roughly 2900 km thick and contains about 80% of the volume of the Earth. Mantle: The mantle is the largest layer of the Earth and is located directly above the outer core. The crust is the least dense of all Earth’s layers. The continental crust moves on top of the asthenosphere because of convection currents in the hot mantle. It’s primarily made of granite rock, and contains the elements silicon, oxygen, aluminum, calcium, sodium, and potassium. Underneath mountains, the continental crust can reach a thickness of 70 km. Continental crust is the crust that contains Earth’s continents and averages about 32 km thick. The oceanic crust moves on top of the asthenosphere because of convection currents in the hot mantle. It is less than 10 km thick, and made of mostly basalt rock and contains the elements silicon, oxygen, iron, and magnesium. Oceanic crust is the crust on the ocean floor. (Sing to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")Ĭrust: The Earth’s crust is composed of oceanic crust and continental crust. What does a Geologist Do ? Click here to find out. Smithsonian Kids-All about rock collecting Sediment: particles of rock that have been broken down by weathering and erosion. Weathering: the various mechanical and chemical processes that cause exposed rock to decompose (ie: rain, wind, freezing and melting).
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