The Structure of the Earth

What are the 6 different layers of the Earth?

• lithosphere

• asthenosphere

• mesosphere

• outer core

• inner core

• inner-inner core

What are the characteristics of the inner core?

• consists of solid iron & nickel alloy

• 4x more dense than the crust

What is the thickness of the inner core?

1200km

What is the temperature of the inner core?

6000°C

What does the outer core consist of?

semi-liquid iron & nickel

What is the thickness of the outer core?

2250km (~2000km)

What is the temperature of the outer core?

5000°C

What are the characteristics of the mesosphere?

• consists of the lower mantle

• dense

• more rigid

What is the thickness of the mesosphere?

2600km

What is the temperature of the mesosphere?

3700°C

What are the characteristics of the asthenosphere?

• consists of the upper mantle

• consists of hotter & semi-molten rock

• more fluid

What is the thickness of the asthenosphere?

200km

What is the temperature of the asthenosphere?

1700°C

What does the lithosphere consist of?

• the crust

• the rigid upper mantle

What is the thickness of the lithosphere?

50 - 100km

What is the temperature of the lithosphere?

14 - 1500°C

What is the thickness of conintental crust?

30-70km

What is the age of continental crust?

over 1,500 million years old

What is the density of continental crust?

2.6g/cm³

What is the composition of continental crust?

mainly granite

What is the thickness of oceanic crust?

6-10km

What is the age of oceanic crust?

less than 200 million years old

What is the density of oceanic crust?

3.0g/cm³

What is the composition of oceanic crust?

mainly basalt