Download Earth`s Layers Notes Printable

COMPOSITIONAL LAYERS
CRUST
 Outermost, Solid Layer
 2: continental and oceanic
 Composed of; oxygen, silicon and
aluminum
 Oceanic must denser
(due to 2x the iron, calcium and
magnesium)
 30 km
MANTLE
 Hot, slow-flowing rock
 Convection takes place here
 Cooler rock sinks, warmer rock rises
 Denser than crust
 2,900 km
CORE
 Mostly iron and nickel
 1/3 of earth’s mass
 3,430 km
PHYSICAL LAYERS
LITHOSPHERE
 Outermost, rigid layer
 Includes crust and upper mantle
 Divided into tectonic plates
ASTHENOSPHERE
 Weak, soft, plastic layer
 Rock flows slowly
 Tectonic plates move along
MESOSPHERE
 Strong, lower part of mantle
 Rocks flow more slowly that
asthenospehere
OUTER CORE
 Liquid layer
INNER CORE
 Solid, dense center
 Solid due to extreme pressure