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Earth's Four Layers Explained

The Earth consists of four layers: the Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, and Inner Core, each with distinct properties. The Crust is the outer layer where life exists, while the Mantle is a thick layer of hot, partially melted rock. The Outer Core is a liquid layer responsible for the Earth's magnetic field, and the Inner Core is a dense, hot ball primarily made of iron.

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229 views1 page

Earth's Four Layers Explained

The Earth consists of four layers: the Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, and Inner Core, each with distinct properties. The Crust is the outer layer where life exists, while the Mantle is a thick layer of hot, partially melted rock. The Outer Core is a liquid layer responsible for the Earth's magnetic field, and the Inner Core is a dense, hot ball primarily made of iron.

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Lucia
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Structure of the Earth

The Earth is split into four layers; each with its own name and defining properties.
Figure 1 shows the different layers within the Earth.

The Crust
• Plants and animals live on this part of the planet.
• The outside layer or skin of the Earth.
• The crust is made up of solid rock.
The Mantle
• There are two types of crust: continental and
• The layer directly
oceanic crust. They both have different properties.
underneath the crust.
• The crust is broken up into large tectonic plates.
• 2900 kilometres or
1802 miles thick.
• The mantle makes up 84%
Figure 1
of the Earth’s total volume.
• The mantle is made up
of hot iron-rich rocks.
• The rocks in the mantle
are partially melted and
move from deep within
the core to the crust in
large convection cells.

The Outer Core


• A liquid layer of molten
metal and rock.
• 2260 kilometres or
1400 miles thick.
• The liquid outer core
constantly moves around
the inner core and is
responsible for the
Earth’s magnetic field.
The Inner Core
• A hot dense ball made up of (mostly) iron.
• 1200 kilometres or 758 miles thick.
• Temperatures reach 5200ºC.

There are two types of tectonic plates: oceanic and continental. The oceanic crust is formed
under the ocean, mainly of an igneous rock called basalt. The continental crust comprises
a broader mix of rock types and contains the land we live on, along with large mountainous
regions worldwide.

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