Comparing the Layers of Earth
Crust
Temperature
Density
(Thickness or
Depth)
In Kilometers
Composition
(What is
each layer
made of?)
(How can
this layer be
described?)
Distinctive
Characterist
ics
(What makes
this layer
special?)
MA
.……..NT………….
Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Air temp to
1600 F
5-70 km
Oceanic –mostly
basalt
(thinnest crust)
Continental –
mostly granite
(thicker crust)
On the crust you
will find rocks,
mountains, soil
and water, etc
Name: _____KEY________________________
1600 F
To
LE
Lower Mantle
6700F
M
(2867 km =
O
H
Approx. 100 km
O
Density of whole
Mantle)
300 km
2,467 km
D
I
S
C
O
N
T
I
N
U
I
T
Y
Soft and can
bend like plastic;
Solid
Rigid layer
similar to the
crust, rocky;
lithos means
“stone”
asthenes means
“weak”; it is still
solid (you can
stub your toe on
it!)
Rigid, rocky
Slowly flowing
(Made up by part
of the crust)
(This layer
makes the plates
move!)
Semi-rigid
Outer Core
Inner Core
6700 – 7800 F
7800 – 13000 F
HOTTEST!
G
U
T
E
2,266 km
N
B
E
R Liquid molten
G (melted) metal
D
I
S
C
O
N
T
I
N
U
I
T
Y
made of
Iron (Fe),
Nickel (Ni)
High temps
inside Earth
from the
formation of
the planet
keeps the Fe
and Ni liquid ;
Creates Earth’s
magnetic field
1,216 km
Dense solid
metal ball made
of Iron (Fe)
and Nickel (Ni)
Extreme
pressure
squeezes the
atoms of Fe &
Ni so much
they cannot
spread out &
become liquid;
keeping the
inner core solid