Download World Geography 3200/3202

The Earth’s Interior
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Crust (Lithosphere)
Mantle
Outer Core
Inner Core
Inner Core
• The deepest part of the
earth (1512 miles deep) is a
solid that contains both iron
and nickel.
• It is because of this that the
center of the earth is a
magnet, a compass.
• It generates a magnetic
field that protects the earth
from flying out of orbit.
Outer Core
• Outside of the inner core
lays the outer core (1419
miles deep).
• This is much like the
inner core with the
exception that it is a
liquid that contains
sulphur and oxygen
(which lowers the melting
point).
Mantle
• Occupying 1789 miles of
the earth is the magma
(iron and magnesium)
that makes up the
mantle.
• Upper and lower
• It is extremely hot!!
• goopy; very plastic-like.
(upper mantle)
• Mostly solid (lower
mantle)
Crust
• Also called lithosphere
• This is the top layer of the
earth, which is basically
hardened mantle
(magma).
• It contains two segments,
the oceanic and
continental crusts.
• Note: this is the same
crust, it just depends how
thick it is to determine if
it is part of the Oceanic or
Continental Crust.
Crust…cont’d
• For instance, if you
drained all of the
water from earth, then
there would be one,
giant Continental
Crust.
• Likewise, if you
flooded everything,
you'd have one, giant
Oceanic Crust.
Read About Earth’s interior
• Our Text p. 4-6
The Earth’s Interior – Layer Names
Outer Core
Lithosphere
or crust
Mantle - Lower
Mantle - Upper
Inner Core
The Earth’s Interior - Composition
Liquid - magma
Solid – hardened
mantle
Mostly Solid
Goopy, plastic-like
Solid – iron & nickel