NAME:_________________________

LAYERS OF THE EARTH

LAYER DIAGRAM DESCRIPTION IMPORTANT FACTS(At least 2 facts)

Crust Thinnest layer of the Earth, where we live. Layer #1

25 miles thick at its thickest part. 4,000 miles from crust to the inner

core Temperature ranges from 0 degrees C

to 870 degrees C 2/3 crust lies under the ocean

Mantle Very hot, dense rock. Largest layer of the Earth. Flows like asphalt due to temperature difference between top and bottom. Top is hard rigid rock, becoming softer as it gets deeper. Plates of the crust float on the soft mantle – this is called “convection currents.” Layer #2

Largest layer 80-84% by volume. 1,800 miles thick; 2,885 kilometers

thick 1,600-4,000 degrees F temp About 6 miles beneath ocean About 19 miles beneath continental

crustOuter Core Fluid, low viscosity molten metal layer.

Layer #3 Depth of 1,806-3,219 miles from

surface Made of nickel and Iron Maybe made of sulfur and oxygen too 7,200-11,000 degrees F temp Controls Earth’s magnetic field,

protecting us from sun’s solar windsInner Core Ball of solid metal in the center of Earth.

Very high pressure keeps it solid. Layer #4

Made of iron and nickel Temperature as high as 9000F 800 miles thick 2,400 km in diameter About 5,150-6,276 km deep in the

Earth

NAME:_________________________

LAYERS OF THE EARTHCONCLUSION:Compare the four major layers of the Earth to any object. Explain how the layers are similar to the object you chose. Think creatively!