Earths Layers The Earth is divided into three

Earth’s Layers

The Earth is divided into three layers. *Crust *Mantle *Core

Crust Ü The Earth's Crust is like the skin of an apple. It is very thin in comparison to the other three layers. Ü The crust is a thin, rocky layer. Ü The crust of the Earth is broken into many pieces called plates. The plates move along the soft mantle which is the layer located below the crust.

Mantle Ü The mantle is the largest layer of the Earth. Ü It is made of hot, dense rock. The rock in the mantle flows like asphalt because of the temperature differences found in the mantle. Ü The movement of the mantle create the movement of the Earth’s plates. Ü The mantle is in between the crust and the core.

Core Ü The core of the Earth is much like a ball of very hot metals. Ü The outer core is liquid, made up of iron, and is very dense. Ü The inner core has temperatures and pressures so great the metals are squeezed together and are not able to move. * The inner core is a solid.

Lithosphere Ü The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of the Earth. The lithosphere includes the brittle upper portion of the mantle and the crust, the outermost layers of Earth’s structure. Ü It’s about 100 km thick and less dense than the ASTHENOSPHERE.

Asthenosphere Ü A flowing, plastic like layer under the LITHOSPHERE. Ü The matter making up the asthenosphere moves in a circular path called a convection current. Ü Tectonic plates move because they float on this dense semi-molten layer.

Types of Crust ÜContinental Crust Ü The part of the earth that makes up the continents. Ü Part of the Lithosphere. (thicker layer) ÜOceanic Crust Ü The part of the earth that makes up the oceans: more dense because it contains twice as much iron, magnesium, and calcium than the Continental Crust. Ü Part of the Lithosphere. (thinner layer but more dense)

Review Ü 1) What are the four layers of the Earth? Ü 2) The Earth’s crust is very ______? Ü 3) The mantle is the largest layer of the Earth? True or False Ü 4) Is the Outer Core a liquid or a solid?

Answers Ü 1) Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core Ü 2) Thin Ü 3) True Ü 4) Liquid

The Earth’s Plates Ü The Earth’s crust is broken up into sections called PLATES. These plates move around on the ATHENOSPHERE. Ü 14 major plates Ü A tectonic plate is a large section of lithosphere that is in slow but constant motion.

Crust and Mantle vs. Lithosphere and Asthenosphere

Thicknesses and density

Make a model using the picture below as a reference. Pay special attention to the color and thickness of the layers. Add one layer at a time and keep the model in a ball shape as you add each layer. Once you are completely finished, use the fishing line to cut the ball open to expose the layers.