Download LAYERS OF THE EARTH

Definitions
1. CRUST
The thin and solid outermost
chemical layer of the earth above
the mantle.
2. MANTLE
The chemical layer of rock between
the earth’s crust and core.
3. CORE
The central part of the earth below
the mantle.
4. LITHOSPHERE
The outermost rigid physical layer
of the earth: It is made of 2 parts –
the crust and the upper part of the
mantle.
5. ASTHENOSPHERE
The plastic physical layer of the
mantle on which pieces of the
lithosphere move. It is made of
solid rock that moves very slowly.
6. MESOSPHERE
The strong, lower physical part of
the mantle between the
asthenosphere and the outer core.
7. TECTONIC PLATES
Pieces of the lithosphere that move
on the asthenosphere.
8. CONTINENTAL DRIFT
The hypothesis that states that the
continents once formed a single
landmass, broke apart, and drifted
to their present locations.
9. SEA FLOOR SPREADING
The process by which new oceanic
lithosphere forms as magma rises
toward the surface and solidifies.