2. Internal Structure of the Earth

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<p>Crust</p>

Crust

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Geology

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11 Terms

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<p>Crust</p>

Crust

  • Outermost, thinnest layer

    Composed of rocks and minerals

    • Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Hydrogen (H), Aluminium (Al), Silicon (Si), Oxygen (O), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Titanium (Ti)

  • Continental crust - Thicker, lower density

  • Oceanic crust - Thinner, higher density

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<p>Mantle</p>

Mantle

  • Beneath the crust

  • Composed of mostly silicates, namely Silicon (Si), and Oxygen (O)

  • Convection current is present

    • Hot air rises

    • Cold air sinks

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<p>Outer Core</p>

Outer Core

  • Composed of Nickel and Iron

  • Liquid

    • Liquid because there is not enough pressure for it to be kept solid

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<p>Inner Core</p>

Inner Core

  • Composed of Nickel and Iron

  • Solid

  • Intense pressure -- prevents the iron in the core from melting

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5
<p>Lithosphere</p>

Lithosphere

  • Solid, outer part of the Earth

  • Rigid and elastic layer (upper mantle and crust)

    • Rigid due to stress, temperature, and curvature of the Earth

  • Coolest layer (literally.)

  • Conducts heat from convection

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Oceanic lithosphere

Thinner and denser oceanic crust. Primarily composed of basalt.

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7

Continental lithosphere

Thicker and less dense continental crust. Primarily composed of granite.

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8

Characteristics of a plate

  • Carries both continental and oceanic crusts

  • Floats on top of the asthenosphere -- slides horizontally over it, bends slightly

  • Moves very slowly

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<p>Asthenosphere</p>

Asthenosphere

  • Highly viscous -- Rocks flow like liquid (Magma)

  • High pressure and temperature

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10
<p>7 Major Plates</p>

7 Major Plates

African, Antarctic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North American, Pacific, South American

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<p>Examples of Minor Plates</p>

Examples of Minor Plates

Caribbean, Scotia, Arabian, India, Philippine, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Nazca Plates

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