Capas de la Tierra

Study Notes

Earth's Layers

The Earth is composed of several interconnected layers, each with distinct characteristics in terms of composition, physical state, and thickness.

Crust

The outermost solid shell of the Earth is called the crust.
It's the thinnest layer, varying in thickness from about 5 to 70 kilometers.
It's predominantly composed of silicate minerals, including feldspar, quartz, and pyroxenes.
The crust is subdivided into oceanic and continental crusts, differing in composition and density.
Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than continental crust.
The crust is the layer we live on and interact with most directly.

Mantle

The mantle lies beneath the crust and extends to a depth of approximately 2,900 kilometers.
It's composed primarily of silicate rocks rich in iron and magnesium.
The mantle is divided into the upper mantle and lower mantle.
The upper mantle is further subdivided, including the asthenosphere (a partially molten layer that allows tectonic plate movement) and lithosphere.
The lithosphere includes the crust and the rigid uppermost part of the mantle.
Convection currents within the mantle drive plate tectonics.

Outer Core

The outer core is a liquid layer approximately 2,200 kilometers thick.
It's primarily composed of iron and nickel.
Movement of the liquid outer core generates the Earth's magnetic field.
The movement is due to heat differences and the Earth's rotation.

Inner Core

The innermost part of Earth is the solid inner core, a sphere with a radius of about 1,220 kilometers.
It's primarily composed of iron and nickel.
Despite the immense pressure, the inner core remains solid due to the high density of the material.
The intense pressure and temperature in the inner core are extreme conditions.

Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere encompasses all the water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and ice.
It plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's temperature and supporting life.
The water cycle constantly recycles water between the various reservoirs within the hydrosphere.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
It's composed of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and trace amounts of other gases.
Different layers of the atmosphere exist, including the troposphere (where weather occurs), stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
The atmosphere is essential for life, providing essential gases and protecting from harmful radiation.

Biosphere

The biosphere encompasses all life on Earth, from microorganisms to large plants and animals.
It interacts with all other spheres (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere) in complex ways.
Life processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition, affect the composition of the atmosphere and the cycling of nutrients.

Lithosphere

The lithosphere is the rigid outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
Tectonic plates are large sections of the lithosphere that float on the asthenosphere (a highly viscous layer in the mantle).
The movement of tectonic plates is responsible for earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains and ocean basins.

Description

Este cuestionario examina las distintas capas de la Tierra, incluyendo la corteza y el manto. Aprenderás sobre las características, composición y variaciones de cada capa. Profundiza en la importancia de la corteza oceánica y continental, así como en la estructura del manto.