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Aim: How is Earth’s interior Structured?
Do Now:
Why do you think the
Earth is made up of
layers?
What are those layers
made up of?
I. Layers of the Earth
Earth’s interior consists of 3 major
zones defined by their chemical
composition and density.
1) Crust
- A thin outer layer of Earth.
- 7 km (4.3 mi) thick
- Divided into:
a. Oceanic Crust – made of basalt
bedrock (more dense)
b. Continental Crust – Granite
Bedrock (less dense)
2) Mantle
- Thickest layer consisting plastic fluidlike material
** Mantle
composition
determined from
meteorites.
3. Core
- The deepest layers of the Earth.
- Composed of iron and nickel.
a. Outer Core – liquid iron and nickel
b. Inner Core – solid iron and nickel
II. Physical Properties
1. Mantle
a. Lithosphere – consists of the crust and
uppermost mantle.
- Forms a cool, rigid shell made of rock.
b. Asthenosphere –
- a soft, weak layer beneath the lithosphere.
- rocks are close to their melting points in
this layer. (plastic-fluid like material)
III. Discovering New Layers
Moho (Mohorovicic Discontinuity)
- separates the crust from the
underlying mantle.
- Earthquake waves increase when they
reach this layer.
The "Moho", is the boundary between
the crust and the mantle.
The red line
Represents
the
Moho.
Page 10 - ESRT
Closure:
• Please complete the worksheet on
Layers of the Earth.