Earth's Inner Layers
If we could slice the Earth open, we’d see three main layers: the core, mantle, and crust.
The innermost layer - the core is further divided into the inner and outer core. The inner core is an extremely hot solid ball mostly made of iron and nickel.
The outer core surrounds the inner core. It is a layer of molten metal that moves around, creating Earth’s magnetic field.
Above the core lies the mantle, a massive layer of hot, dense rock that makes up most of Earth’s mass. This layer is like thick syrup and always flows slowly.
The very top layer is the crust, where we live. There are two types: the oceanic crust, which underlies the oceans, and the continental crust, which makes up the continents.
We can also divide Earth into layers based on mechanical properties. The crust and the uppermost mantle form the solid and brittle lithosphere.
Beneath the lithosphere is the asthenosphere, a solid layer that can flow like silly putty. It allows the plates of the lithosphere to move.
Earth's Inner Layers
Earth is composed of several layers, each with distinct properties. Scientists classify Earth's structure based on composition and…
If we could slice the Earth open, we’d see three main layers: the core, mantle, and crust.
The innermost layer - the core is further divided into the inner and outer core. The inner core is an extremely hot solid ball mostly made of iron and nickel.
The outer core surrounds the inner core. It is a layer of molten metal that moves around, creating Earth’s magnetic field.
Above the core lies the mantle, a massive layer of hot, dense rock that makes up most of Earth’s mass. This layer is like thick syrup and always flows slowly.
The very top layer is the crust, where we live. There are two types: the oceanic crust, which underlies the oceans, and the continental crust, which makes up the continents.
We can also divide Earth into layers based on mechanical properties. The crust and the uppermost mantle form the solid and brittle lithosphere.
Beneath the lithosphere is the asthenosphere, a solid layer that can flow like silly putty. It allows the plates of the lithosphere to move.
If we could slice the Earth open, we’d see three main layers: the core, mantle, and crust.
The innermost layer - the core is further divided into the inner and outer core. The inner core is an extremely hot solid ball mostly made of iron and nickel.
The outer core surrounds the inner core. It is a layer of molten metal that moves around, creating Earth’s magnetic field.
Above the core lies the mantle, a massive layer of hot, dense rock that makes up most of Earth’s mass. This layer is like thick syrup and always flows slowly.
The very top layer is the crust, where we live. There are two types: the oceanic crust, which underlies the oceans, and the continental crust, which makes up the continents.
We can also divide Earth into layers based on mechanical properties. The crust and the uppermost mantle form the solid and brittle lithosphere.
Beneath the lithosphere is the asthenosphere, a solid layer that can flow like silly putty. It allows the plates of the lithosphere to move.
View the full transcript and gain access to JoVE Core videos