Earth's Layers and Composition

The thin, solid outer layer of Earth where we live. It includes land and the ocean floor.

• Crust

• Mantle

• Core

The thick layer beneath the crust made of hot, slow-moving rock.

• Crust

• Mantle

• Outer Core

A layer of liquid iron and nickel that surrounds the inner core.

• Mantle

• Outer Core

• Inner Core

A solid ball of iron and nickel at the very center of Earth. It is extremely hot and under great pressure.

• Mantle

• Outer Core

• Inner Core

The rigid, solid upper part of Earth that includes the crust and the very top of the mantle. It is broken into pieces called tectonic plates.

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Atmosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A softer, hotter layer of the upper mantle beneath the lithosphere. The rock here moves slowly and allows tectonic plates to move.

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Atmosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Large, rigid pieces of the lithosphere that move slowly over the asthenosphere.

• Tectonic Plates

• Convection Currents

• Puzzle Pieces

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Circular movements of heated material in the mantle. These currents cause tectonic plates to move.

• Convection Currents

• Tectonic Plates

• Boiling Water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A place where two tectonic plates move toward each other.

• Convergent Boundary

• Divergent Boundary

• Transform Boundary

A place where two tectonic plates move apart.

• Convergent Boundary

• Divergent Boundary

• Transform Boundary