Layers of the Earth
Atmosphere
• The Atmosphere is
the outermost layer
of the Earth. 21%
• It contains oxygen,
carbon dioxide,1%
78% nitrogen and other
gases.
• It is the least dense
layer.
Hydrosphere
• Earth’s water makes up the hydrosphere.
• Includes all the liquid water and ice on Earth’s
surface, liquid water in the ground, and water
vapor in the atmosphere.
Geosphere
• Geosphere is made up of the Earth’s surface
and it’s interior.
(Crust) Lithosphere
• Not the same thickness all
over Earth.
• The crust is 6 km(4 mi.) thick
under the oceans.
• The crust under the
continents is much thicker
25-90km(16-56mi) thick.
• Temperature: cool at top,
870°C at the bottom.
•
What is the deepest hole ever
Kola Borehole
drilled?
Today, the deepest
hole ever created
by humankind is in
Siberia. It took 24
years to drill.
• The hole goes down
12 kilometers (7.5
miles) into the
Earth’s crust.
Kola Borehole
Mantle (Aesthenosphere)
• Mantle is made of rock.
The heat and pressure
make this rock a semi
solid called magma.
• Temperature ranges
from 870°C-2200°C
(1,600°F-4,000°F)
• Convection currents
form in this layer.
2900km(1800mi)
Outer Core
• The outer core is
molten iron and
nickel and is
spinning around
the inner core.
• The movement
of this metal
creates a
magnetic field
that surrounds
the Earth.
Protects us from harmful solar radiation
Thickness: 2200km(1367 miles)
Temperature: 5,000°C (9,000°F)
•
•
•
•
Outer Core
Made of liquid metals (mostly iron and nickel)
Thickness: 2200km(1367 miles)
Temperature: 4400°C (8000°F)
The spinning liquid creates the magnetosphere
(magnetic field around Earth)
• Protects us from solar
radiation.
Inner Core
• Made of solid iron and
nickel.
• Thickness: 1250 km(777mi.)
• Temperature:
5,000°C/9,000°F
• Gravity squeezes matter
together which makes the
core solid and dense.
Densities of the layers
Layers of Earth Conclusion
• Gravity pulls all matter to the center.
• The pull of gravity makes all planets and stars
form a sphere.
• Earth’s interior is hot because of gravity and
pressure.
• Density forms the layers.
Least dense – Most Dense
Video clips
• Layers of the Earth Song