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Structure of the Earth. Layers. Solid Inner Core Molten Outer Core Mesosphere Asthenosphere Lithosphere. 1. Solid Inner Core. Dense, iron-rich material at very high temperatures and pressures probably of the order of 7,000 ° F (4,800° C) and at 3.5 million atmospheres.
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Layers • Solid Inner Core • Molten Outer Core • Mesosphere • Asthenosphere • Lithosphere
1. Solid Inner Core • Dense, iron-rich material at very high temperatures and pressures probably of the order of 7,000° F (4,800° C) and at 3.5 million atmospheres.
2. Molten Outer Core • Dense, iron-rich material in a molten state, at temperatures of the order of 7,000° F (3,900°C) and pressures of 1.5 million atmospheres. • Swirling movements of material in this layer generate Earth’s changing magnetic field.
3. Mesosphere • Rigid lower mantle. Moderately hot, moderately dense rock rich in magnesium and iron silicates. Temperature probably about 5,400° F (3,000° C).
4. Asthenosphere • Plastic upper mantle. Similar in composition to mesosphere, but less dense and less hot 2,700° F (1,500° C). The material in this layer is a slow moving liquid. • Convection currents generate slow-swirling movements in this layer that cause lithospheric plates to move across the Earth’s surface.
5. Lithosphere • Rigid upper mantle and Earth’s crust combined to form lithospheric plates that float on the asthenosphere.
