Download Layers of Earth Notes - Laveen Teacher Sites

*Earth’s Structure
Onions have layers! Ogres have layer! The Earth has layers!
*Inside the Earth
 *The
Earth is into three main layers:
 *Crust
 *Mantle
 *Core
(Upper & Lower)
(Inner & Outer)
*Crust

*Outermost layer of Earth

*Thinnest layer
 (*about

5-50km thick)
*Made up of continental and
oceanic Crust
*Two Types of Crust
There are two types of crust:

Continental

Oceanic
*The crust above water is the continental crust.
*The crust at the bottom of the oceans is oceanic crust.
Continental Crust:
The Continental Crust:
 Makes
up the continents
 Contains
light colored rocks such as granite
Oceanic Crust
The Oceanic Crust:
 Makes
up the ocean floor
 Contains
 Is
dense rocks such as basalt
thinner than continental crust
*Mantle
*Thickest layer of Earth
 *Mostly made up of magma
(molten rock)
 *Has convection currents
which cause the crust to
move
 *Average temperature is
about 3000°C

Mantle
*Outer Core

*Made up of liquid nickel
and iron

*Between 4000 and 5000°C

*2nd largest layer

*Believed to control Earth’s
magnetic field
 (think
compass and
North/South Pole)
*Inner Core

*Made up of solid nickel
and iron

*About 5000-6000C

*Most dense layer
*Earth Structure Diagram
Lithosphere
Crust
Asthenosphere
Mantle
Outer Core
Inner Core