Download Earth*s Layers - Hartsville Middle School

Earth’s Layers
Standard: 8-3.1
Summarize the three main layers
of Earth – crust, mantle, and core
– on the basis of relative position,
density, and composition.
Earth’s Layers EQ 8-3.1
• How are the three main layers of the Earth
described based on their position, density,
and composition?
Layers of the Earth
Layer
Crust
Position
Outer layer
thinnest under
oceans, thickest
under continents
Crust & top of
mantle called the
lithosphere
Density
Composition
Least dense Solid rocklayer;
mostly
oxygen (O) &
silicon (Si)
Oceanic
crust is
more dense Oceanic
than
crust: basalt
continental
crust
Continental
crust: granite
Layer
Position
Mantle Middle layer
Thickest layer
Top portion is
called the
asthenosphere
Density
Density
increases
with depth
because of
increasing
pressure
Composition
Hot softened
rock
Contains iron
(Fe) and
magnesium
(Mg)
Layer
Core
Position
Inner layer
Density
Heaviest
material
Consists of two
parts – outer
Most
core and inner dense
core
layer
Composition
Mostly iron
(Fe) and
nickel (Ni)
Outer core –
slow flowing
liquid metal
Inner core –
solid metal
CLAMOI
• C rust
• L ithosphere
• A sthenosphere
• M antle
• O uter core
• I nner core
Crust
– What are the
characteristics of
the Earth’s crust?
• Outermost layer
• Thinnest under oceans
• Thickest under
continents
• Crust and upper mantle
are called the
lithosphere
• Least dense overall
but….
– Oceanic crust (basalt) is
more dense than the
continental crust (granite)
• Made of solid rockmostly oxygen & silicon
Mantle
– What are the
characteristics of
the mantle?
• Middle layer
• Thickest layer
• Top portion is called
the asthenosphere
• Density increases as
depth increases
– Pressure causes
density to increase
• Hot softened rock
• Made of iron and
magnesium
Core
• What are the
characteristics of the
core?
• Inner layer
• Two parts: Outer core
and Inner core
• Heaviest material
• Most dense layer
• Made of iron and
nickel
• Outer Core – liquid,
flowing metal
• Inner Core – solid
metal
Let’s Expore the Earth’s Interior
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwless
ons/lessons/Earths_layers/Earths_layers1.
html
United Streaming Video