The Earth’s Interior

1. The Earth’s Interior • Crust (Lithosphere) • Mantle • Outer Core • Inner Core

2. Inner Core • The deepest part of the earth (1512 miles deep) 2700 km diameter, is a solid that contains both iron and nickel. Temp 4000 to 6000 C • It is because of this that the center of the earth is a magnet, a compass. • It generates a magnetic field that protects the earth from flying out of orbit.

3. Outer Core • Outside of the inner core lays the outer core (1419 miles deep). • This is much like the inner core with the exception that it is a liquid that contains sulphur and oxygen (which lowers the melting point). 4000 C

4. Mantle • Occupying 1789 miles of the earth is the magma (iron and magnesium) that makes up the mantle. • Upper and lower • It is extremely hot!! • goopy; very plastic-like.(upper mantle) • Also called the anthensphere • Mostly solid (lower mantle)

5. Crust • Also called lithosphere • This is the top layer of the earth, which is basically hardened mantle (magma). • It contains two segments, the oceanic and continental crusts. • Note: this is the same crust, it just depends how thick it is to determine if it is part of the Oceanic or Continental Crust.

6. Crust…cont’d • For instance, if you drained all of the water from earth, then there would be one, giant Continental Crust. • Likewise, if you flooded everything, you'd have one, giant Oceanic Crust.

7. Read About Earth’s interior • Our Text p. 4-6

8. The Earth’s Interior – Layer Names Outer Core Lithosphere or crust Mantle - Lower Mantle - Upper Inner Core

9. The Earth’s Interior - Composition Liquid - magma Solid – hardened mantle Mostly Solid Goopy, plastic-like Solid – iron & nickel