Layers of the Earth and Plate Tectonics

Front

Crust

Back

Earth's topmost layer, the thinnest, made of mostly rock.

Front

Mantle

Back

Earth's second layer, made of solid and melted rock.

Front

Outer Core

Back

Made of liquid nickel and iron, responsible for Earth's magnetic field.

Front

Inner Core

Back

Made of solid iron, hot enough to melt metal.

Front

Continental Crust

Back

Covers one-third of Earth's surface, makes up all dry land.

Front

Oceanic Crust

Back

Forms two-thirds of Earth's surface, makes up the ocean floor.

Front

Tectonic Plates

Back

Large pieces that move slowly on the mantle.

Front

Continental Drift

Back

One of the earliest ways geologists thought continents moved over time.

Front

Ring of Fire

Back

An area where tectonic plates meet; most of Earth's volcanoes and earthquakes happen here.

Front

Convergent Boundaries

Back

When two plates come together, push against each other, and form mountains.