Earth's Structure and Plate Tectonics

Front

Plate tectonics

Back

A theory of global tectonics in which the lithosphere is divided into a number of crustal plates, each of which moves on the plastic asthenosphere more or less independently to collide with, slide under, or move past adjacent plates.

Front

Lithosphere

Back

Crust and upper mantle of the earth.

Front

Crust

Back

The outer layer of the earth, about 22 miles deep (6 miles deep under water).

Front

Mantle

Back

Layer between crust and core (about 1800 miles deep).

Front

Core

Back

Central portion of the earth.

Front

Deposition

Back

Something that has been deposited in a new location.

Front

Outer core

Back

Between mantle and inner core - responsible for earth’s magnetic field.

Front

Inner core

Back

Solid sphere located at the center of the earth.

Front

Asthenosphere

Back

Layer in the Earth's upper mantle that lies beneath the lithosphere. It is a weak and ductile region that allows for the movement of tectonic plates.