Earth's Interior - Chapter 3, Section 1

Two Main Types of Evidence Geologist Use to Learn about Earth's Interior

Direct Evidence (Rock Samples) and Indirect Evidence (Seismic Waves)

Seismic Waves

Vibrations that travel through the Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake

The Three Main Layers of Earth

The Crust, the Mantle and the Core

Pressure

The force exerted on a surface divided by the area over which the force is exerted

Earth's Crust

Layer of solid rockthat includes both dry land and the ocean floor. Includes rocks, mountains, soil and water

Oceanic Crust

Crust beneath the ocean consisting mostly of basalt

Basalt

Dark rock with a fine texture, makes up most of the oceanic crust

Continental Crust

Crust that forms the continents consisting mostly of granite

Granite

a rock that is light in color and has a coarse texture

Mantle

Made up of rock that is very hot, but solid. Divided into layers based on the physical characteristics of those layers. It is nearly 3,000 kilometers thick

Lithosphere

The uppermost part of the mantle and crust together form a rigid layer of the Earth

Asthenophere

Ths soft layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats

The Lower Mantle

Third layer of the mantle beneath the asthenosphere made of solid rock

Earth's Core

Center of the Earth made mostly of the metals iron and nickel. Consists of two parts, liquid outer core and solid inner core

Outer Core

Layer of molten metal that surrounds the inner core; Scientists think movement of this liquid creates the Earth's magnetic field

Inner Core

A dense ball of solid metal. Extreme pressure squeezes the atoms of iron and nickel so much that they cannot spread out and become liquid