Earth Science Basics

Front

What is the outer core made of?

Back

Mostly liquid iron and nickel.

Front

What does the outer core create?

Back

Earth’s magnetic field through moving liquid metal.

Front

What is the inner core made of?

Back

A solid ball of mostly iron and nickel.

Front

How hot is the inner core compared to the outer core?

Back

Even hotter, about 5,400°C.

Front

What is the size of the inner core?

Back

Approximately the size of Earth’s moon.

Front

How does the inner core move?

Back

It spins slightly faster than the rest of Earth.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large pieces of Earth’s crust that float on the hot, soft mantle below.

Front

How fast do tectonic plates move?

Back

About as fast as your fingernails grow.

Front

What geological events are caused by plate movement?

Back

Earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation.

Front

What happens at convergent boundaries?

Back

Plates collide, creating mountain ranges and deep ocean trenches.