GEL 1- Earth's Interior

Week 1 module

Geology

The study of the earth; explores origin of minerals and layers.

What layers make up the Earth?

The crust, the mantle, and the core (inner core and outer core)

Why is Earth’s interior differentiated?

The dense material sinks to the center, less dense material rises to the surface (material separates).

What does gravity do?

Gravity produces a sphere. It pulls dense material towards the center, and has the lighter material float towards the surface.

How many layers does Earth have?

Earth has 3 main layers.

How many kinds of crust are there? What do they do?

2 kinds of crust; continental and oceanic. It covers up other layers.

Continental crust

Made of Granite; less dense. Underlines the continents and floats higher.

Oceanic crust

Made of Basalt; more dense. Underlines ocean basins and sits down lower on top of the mantle

What is the role of density in surface elevation?

Density controls surface elevation.

What is the mantle?

The solid rock layer between the crust and core. There is an upper and lower mantle

True or False: The mantle is able to move

True

Why can the mantle move?

Below ~100 km, it is hot enough for the mantles’ material to move (moves slowly)

Convection

Bottom of mantle is warmed by earth’s core. Hot mantle rises, cold mantle sinks

Core

Iron-rich sphere; has 2 parts.

Outer core

Made of liquid; comprised of iron-nickel-sulfur

Inner core

Is solid; made of iron-nickel alloy.