Plate tectonics

Question 1

What are the layers of the Earth?

Answer 1

The Earth is made up of three layers: the core, mantle, and crust.

Question 2

What does plate tectonic theory explain?

Answer 2

Plate tectonic theory shows that the movement of tectonic plates leads to earthquakes and volcanoes.

Question 3

What is the inner core?

Answer 3

The inner core is the innermost layer of the Earth, approximately 2900 km thick, spherical, solid, and made up of iron and nickel. Its temperature can reach 8000°.

Example: The inner core is solid due to the immense pressure despite the high temperature.

Question 4

What is the outer core?

Answer 4

The outer core is the layer surrounding the inner core and is made of liquid iron.

Question 5

What is the mantle?

Answer 5

The mantle makes up 84% of the Earth’s volume and is the thickest section at approximately 2900 km thick. The upper mantle is hard, while below it is semi-molten rock called magma.