THE LAYERS OF THE EARTH OBJECTIVE STANDARD 8

THE LAYERS OF THE EARTH

OBJECTIVE : STANDARD 8. E. 5 A. 3 STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO: ucommunicate information about the relative position, density, and composition of Earth’s layers to describe the crust, mantle, and core.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR 8. E. 5 A. 4 Construct explanations for how theory of plate tectonics accounts for (1) the motion of lithospheric plates, (2) the geologic activities at plate boundaries, and (3) the changes in landform areas over geologic time.

Structure of the Earth The Earth is made up of 3 main layers: Crust Mantle Core Mantle Outer core Inner core Crust

Earth Layers The Earth is divided into THREE MAIN layers 1. CRUST 2. MANTLE -The layer that lies between the crust and upper mantle is called Lithosphere -Below the Lithosphere is the Asthenosphere (is also known as the Upper Mantle) 3. CORE (WHICH IS BROKENT INTO 2 SECTIONS: Outer and Inner Core)

Structure of the Earth The Earth is made up of 3 main layers: Crust Mantle Core Mantle Outer core Inner core Crust

Label the Following Diagram

The Crust (The Layer of Which Life Exists) * The Earth’s crust is very thin compared to the other layers. It is the Outermost and Thinnest Layer. *Composition: Solid rock made of mostly silicon and oxygen *State of Matter: Solid *2 types of crust Oceanic (very dense, made of basalt rock, thinnest, sinks under the continental crust, and is considered the youngest crust because it’s being recycled ) Continental (less dense, made of granite rock, thickest, and is the oldest type of crust.

Oceanic and Continental Crust

Differences Continental Crust Oceanic Crust Made of Granite Rock Made of Basalt Rock Thickest Thinnest Least Denser Found on and below land Found below the ocean

The Crust The crust of the Earth is broken into many pieces called Tectonic Plates.

Lithospheric or Tectonic Plates

Lithosphere

Lithosphere Lies between the Crust and upper Mantle rigid/hard that is apart of the crust Composed of and divided into pieces or tectonic or lithospheric plates made up of rocks and soil The lithospheric or tectonic plates floats on top of the asthenosphere. State of Matter: Solid

LITHOSPHERE

ASTHENOSPHERE

Asthenosphere (The Upper Mantle) Top portion of the mantle composed of solid flowing rock layer on which pieces of lithosphere move on top (solid rock that flows) Think of it like caramel * State of Matter: Soft Solid

The Mantle Outer core Inner core Crust

The Mantle The mantle is the layer below the crust. It is the thickest/largest layer of the Earth. It is composed of hot molten softened rock 66% of earth’s mass It is made up primarily of magnesium and iron. State of Matter: Soft Solid

Check for Understanding 1. What is the outermost layer of the Earth? 2. Put the following layers in order and tell there states of matter: asthenosphere, oceanic crust, lithosphere, continental crust, and mantle 3. Name 3 differences between oceanic or continental crust. 4. Which contains basalt rock: oceanic or continental crust? 5. What lies between the crust and upper mantle together? 6. Which layer is the thickest layer? 7. Lithosphere floats on top of what layer? 8. The crust of Earth is broken into many pieces called ________ and apart of which layer?

Plate Movement “Plates” of lithosphere are moved around by convection currents in the Asthenosphere/Mantle

Convection is the energy transfer through liquid material.

Convection currents are the continuous loop of sinking and rising hot, soft rocks caused by energy transfer in the asthenosphere (mantle) of Earth

How are Scientists able to identify the composition of the mantle? ? The movement of seismic waves through the earth’s layers as well as materials ejected from volcanic activity. Most lava that erupts during volcanic activity is actually just melted crust and is not material from the mantle and/or the core.

Check for Understanding 1. Where are tectonic plates located? 2. What moves tectonic plates 3. What’s another name for tectonic plate? 4. What are convection currents and where are they located? 5. What is the function of convection currents? 6. Complete: ____ air rises, _______ air sinks.

The Core The core is divided into two parts (Outer and Inner Core) and is the most dense layer.

OUTER CORE

OUTER CORE Outer Core: Liquid iron and nickel Very dense State of Matter: Only Liquid layer

INNER CORE

INNER CORE Inner Core: _SOLID iron and nickel /State of Matter: __SOLID____ _HOTTEST_part of the Earth This layer has temperatures (HEAT_) and _PRESSURE so great the metals are squeezed together to create a solid.

Temperature increases as depth increases

How do scientists know the composition of the Core? Seismic waves produced by earthquakes travel at different speeds through solid rock and liquids

Crust Mantle Outer Core Liquid Lithosphere – Crust and Upper Layer of the Mantle (asthenosphere) that consists of hot rock of tar -like consistency, which slowly moves Inner Core Solid

Why is the Inner Core solid? ? The weight of all of the other materials above it put a lot of pressure on the inner core, keeping it solid! Why does the Earth have a Magnetic Field? ? The magnetic field is caused by the movement of the inner (spinning) and outer core (flowing liquid).

MAGNETIC FIELD (OUTER & Inner CORE)

Check for Understanding 1. The core is divided into what 2 layers? 2. The outer and inner core is made up of what elements? 3. What’s the state of matter for each core? 4. What are convection currents and where are they located? 5. What happens to the temperature as you go from the crust to the inner core? 6. How do scientists know the composition of the core? 7. Why is the inner core a solid? 8. What creates the Earth’s Magnetic field?

Complete the Earth Layer activity sheet

LABEL THE PARTS