Earth's Layers

Question 1

What is the outermost layer of the Earth?

Answer 1

Crust

The crust is thin and solid, consisting of two types: continental and oceanic.

Question 2

What are the two types of crust?

Answer 2

• Continental (thicker, less dense, mostly granite)
• Oceanic (thinner, denser, mostly basalt)

Continental crust is primarily made of granite, while oceanic crust consists mainly of basalt.

Question 3

What is the composition of the mantle?

Answer 3

Semi-solid rock

Convection currents in the mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates.

Question 4

What drives plate movement in the Earth?

Answer 4

Convection currents in the mantle

These currents result from the heat from the Earth’s interior.

Question 5

What is the outer core composed of?

Answer 5

Liquid iron and nickel

The outer core is responsible for generating Earth’s magnetic field.

Question 6

What generates Earth’s magnetic field?

Answer 6

Outer core

The movement of liquid iron and nickel in the outer core creates electrical currents, which generate the magnetic field.

Question 7

What is the state of the inner core?

Answer 7

Solid iron and nickel

The intense pressure in the inner core keeps it in a solid state despite high temperatures.

Question 8

What causes the inner core to remain solid?

Answer 8

Intense pressure

The pressure in the inner core is so high that it prevents the iron and nickel from melting.

Question 9

What does the lithosphere consist of?

Answer 9

Crust + upper mantle

The lithosphere is the rigid outer part of the Earth.

Question 10

What is the asthenosphere?

Answer 10

Soft, plastic-like layer beneath lithosphere

Tectonic plates float on the asthenosphere.

Question 11

Gravity’s Role

Answer 11

Caused denser materials to sink and form Earth’s layers during early formation.

This process was crucial in the differentiation of Earth’s layers.