12/7/10 SCIENCE LAYERS OF THE EARTH 1. CRUST – Hard shell of the Earth. (also called the lithosphere) The thinnest, but densest part is under the oceans (oceanic crust) The thickest, but least dense part is under the continents (continental crust) Temp ↑ 86◦ F for every mile Made of SOLID ROCK 2. MANTLE – largest layer by volume Made of SOLID ROCK that can flow under extreme heat and pressure Upper mantle is called the asthenosphere- a semi-solid substance which the crust floats on Temps. up to 5,500◦ F 3. CORE – a. OUTER CORE LIQUID iron and nickel Up to 9,000◦ F Movement creates Earth’s electromagnetic field b. INNER CORE SOLID iron and nickel + 10,000 ◦ F Stays solid due to the pressure exerted from the outer layers The CRUST floats on the MANTLE because of PLASTICITY; the ability of a solid to flow like a liquid. 12/7/10 SCIENCE LAYERS OF THE EARTH 1. CRUST – Hard shell of the Earth. (also called the lithosphere) The thinnest, but densest part is under the oceans (oceanic crust) The thickest, but least dense part is under the continents (continental crust) Temp ↑ 86◦ F for every mile Made of SOLID ROCK 2. MANTLE – largest layer by volume Made of SOLID ROCK that can flow under extreme heat and pressure Upper mantle is called the asthenosphere- a semi-solid substance which the crust floats on Temps. up to 5,500◦ F 3. CORE – a. OUTER CORE LIQUID iron and nickel Up to 9,000◦ F Movement creates Earth’s electromagnetic field b. INNER CORE SOLID iron and nickel + 10,000 ◦ F Stays solid due to the pressure exerted from the outer layers The CRUST floats on the MANTLE because of PLASTICITY; the ability of a solid to flow like a liquid.