Structures of the Earth

EQ: How do tectonic plates shape Earth?

Multiple Choice

Which layer of the Earth is the MOST dense?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Inner Core

• Outer Core

The Crust is the Outermost layer, and there are two types: Oceanic and Continental.

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, and has twice as much iron, calcium, and magnesium.

The crust is one of two parts of the Lithosphere of the Earth. The other part of the Lithosphere is the outermost layer of the Mantle.

Notes: What are the Layers of the Earth?

The Mantle is between the Core and the Crust. The Mantle is made of hot, slow-flowing, rock (magma). Convection occurs in this layer (hot magma goes up, "cool" magma goes down)

.

The Mantle is denser than the crust (allowing the crust to "float" on it), and geologists believe that the main factor for the motion of plate tectonics is convection currents that occurs in the mantle.

Notes: What are the Layers of the Earth?

The Mantle can be divided into two layers: The Mesosphere and the Aesthenosphere.

The Mesosphere is the strong lower layer of the mantle, which flows more slowly than the softer magma in the upper layer, the Aesthenosphere.

Notes: What are the Layers of the Earth?

The last two layers of the Earth are the Core, both inner and outer.

The Outer Core the liquid layer of the core, and the Inner Core is solid, dense, and mostly made of Iron and Nickle. The core makes up 1/3rd of Earth's mass.

Notes: What are the Layers of the Earth?

Reorder

Reorder the following from most dense to least dense

• Inner Core

• Outer Core

• Mantle

• Crust

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

The Lithosphere is made up of tectonic plates that move in different directions and speeds.

As mentioned previously, scientists believe that convection currents in the Earth's Mantle cause the plates to move.

Plate tectonics give us mountains, mid-ocean ridges, seafloor spread, and earthquakes.

Notes: How does the Earth Move?

Multiple Choice

In a Convection Cell, heated fluids go

• Up

• Down

PLATE TECTONICS SONG! SING ALONG!

Dropdown

Collision is ​

Select answer

​

Dropdown

Division is ​

Select answer

​

Dropdown

Transform is ​

Select answer

​

Notes: How do Plate Tectonics Shape the Earth?

​One type of a convergent plate boundary is a Subduction Zone. Subduction Zones occur where OLDER/MORE DENSE Oceanic Crust gets shoved below YOUNGER/LESS DENSE Continental Crust.

Seafloor Spread/Mid-Ocean Ridges occur at DIVERGENT plate boundaries. The diverging plates allow part of the Aesthenosphere to emerge, cool, and create NEW Ocean Floor/Crust.

SUMMARY: Why does Florida not have mountains or Earthquakes?