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Explore the composition and physical characteristics of the Earth's layers, from the crust to the inner core. Learn about the different compounds and properties that make up the lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, and inner core.
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Structure of the Earth 6th TAG Earth Science/Kwon
Layers by compounds • Crust: 5-100 km thick. Made up of oxygen, silicon, aluminum • It is the outer most layer • Has two layers: continental & oceanic (oceanic heavier because it contains more iron, calcium, magnesium) • Oceanic (sink)/ continental (float)
Layers by compounds • Mantle: Contains most of Earth’s mass (very thick) • 2,900 km thick • Contains more magnesium than crust, so it is heavier than crust • Volcanic lava = magma from mantle
Layers by compounds • Core: the central part of Earth below mantle • Contains 33% of Earth’s mass (1/3) contains mostly iron and small amount of nickel • Contains NO oxygen, silicon, aluminum • It’s radius is 3,430 km
Physical Layers • Divided into 5 Layers by it’s physical characteristics • Lithosphere • Asthenosphere • Mesosphere • Outer Core • Inner Core
Lithosphere • Litho- means “rock” • Solid & ridged • Outer most layer • Made up of crust & upper mantle. Lithosphere is divided into pieces called tectonic plates
Asthenosphere • Astheno- means “weak” • Soft & flowing • Underneath lithosphere • Tectonic plates move on top of this layer
Mesosphere • meso- means “middle” • Located between the outer core & asthenosphere • Strong & ridged • Lower part of mantle • It is the thickest layer (2,550 km)
Outer Core • Underneath mesosphere but above inner core • The only liquid layer (liquid iron) • It is 2,200 km thick
Inner Core • The most “center” layer • Solidified layer due to pressure • It is 1,230 km thick • Made of iron • The inner core spins on liquid outer core- creates magnetic field
Plasma • Ionized gas (electron is given or taken away) • No definite shape or volume • Found in stars • Found in “neon” signs • Most common form of state of matter in Universe (not on Earth!) • The center of the Earth is not “plasmic” it is “plastic”…that’s probably the word you were looking for…