Earth's Layers & Systems

brittle, rocky outer layer of Earth; least dense and thinnest of Earth's layers

• crust

• mantle

• outer core

• inner core

thick middle layer of Earth directly below the crust; composed of denser, more iron-rich rocks (peridotite, eclogite) than those of the crust

• crust

• mantle

• outer core

• inner core

dense, metallic center of the planet

• crust

• mantle

• core

• asthenosphere

denser, thinner, made of rocks containing the heavier elements of iron and magnesium

• oceanic crust

• continental crust

• outer core

• inner core

less dense, thicker, made of rocks containing the lighter elements of oxygen and silicon

• oceanic crust

• continental crust

• outer core

• inner core

liquid and slower spinning

• oceanic crust

• continental crust

• outer core

• inner core

solid dense ball of iron crystals and faster spinning

• oceanic crust

• continental crust

• outer core

• inner core

crust and uppermost layer of the mantle; characterized by brittle, rigid rocks

• lithosphere

• asthenosphere

• outer core

• inner core

plastic layer within the mantle where rocks become so hot they melt and begin to flow

• lithosphere

• asthenosphere

• outer core

• inner core

solid, high-pressure rock layers below asthenosphere; hotter than asthenosphere

• crust

• upper/lower mantle

• outer core

• inner core

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1