Earth's Layers and Structure

Front

Earth's Crust

Back

The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, made of solid rock, where we live.

Front

Continental crust

Back

The continental crust is the thick part of the Earth's crust that forms the land (continents), and it is less dense than oceanic crust.

Front

Oceanic crust

Back

The oceanic crust is the thinner part of the Earth's crust under the oceans; it is denser and made mostly of basalt rock.

Front

Lithosphere

Back

The lithosphere includes the crust and the very top part of the mantle, and is broken into pieces called tectonic plates.

Front

Mantle

Back

The mantle is the thick layer of hot, solid rock beneath the crust; it moves slowly and causes earthquakes and volcanoes.

Front

Asthenosphere

Back

The asthenosphere is the soft, flowing part of the mantle just below the lithosphere and it helps tectonic plates move.

Front

Convection Currents

Back

Convection currents are the circular movements of hot rock in the mantle that move tectonic plates and cause changes on Earth’s surface.

Front

Outer core

Back

The outer core is a layer of liquid metal (mostly iron and nickel) beneath the mantle. It creates Earth’s magnetic field.

Front

Inner core

Back

The inner core is the very center of the Earth, and it’s a solid ball made of iron and nickel, and it's extremely hot.