Layers of the
Earth
These notes go on p. 5 of your INB
*layers are separated by
density with the most
dense being at the center
The CRUST is solid and
brittle; it is made of rock
The MANTLE has two
special layers and is
made of Fe, Si, & Mg;
it is both solid &
liquid
The OUTER CORE is
made of liquid
Ni & Fe
The INNER CORE
is made of solid Ni & Fe
and is magnetic
Composition of the Earth’s Layers
Special Layers of Mantle
crust
1. LITHOSPHERE:
lithosphere
• Contains crust and
uppermost part of
mantle
asthesnosphere
lower
mantle
2. ASTHENOSPHERE:
mantle
• Solid but very hot
• Rocks are ductile & act
like silly putty
• Carries the lithosphere
(tectonic plates) on its
‘back’
The Core (two parts)
Outer core
(liquid Iron)
Inner core
(solid Iron)
• The core of the Earth is
VERY HOT
• Inner core is solid because
of extreme pressure
• Inner core is the size of the
moon and rotates faster
than the rest of the earth
generating our magnetic
field