Earth's Differentiation and Layers
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Questions and Answers

Which layer of the Earth is primarily composed of basalt rock?

  • Inner Core
  • Mantle
  • Continental Crust
  • Oceanic Crust (correct)
  • What is the composition of the Earth's core primarily made of?

  • Iron and nickel alloy (correct)
  • Magma and minerals
  • Granite and basalt
  • Silicates and magnesium
  • At what depth does the mantle begin to flow slowly?

  • 100km to 150km (correct)
  • 200km
  • 300km
  • 50km
  • Which term describes the outermost layer of the Earth?

    <p>Crust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason oceanic crust is denser than continental crust?

    <p>It has a higher concentration of iron and magnesium.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the Earth is responsible for the flow of heat through convection?

    <p>Outer Core</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is associated with the lithosphere layer of the Earth?

    <p>It varies in thickness from 5 to 90 kilometers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the Earth is described as being rigid and can bend slightly but not flow?

    <p>Lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the asthenosphere?

    <p>Hot enough to flow very slowly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is responsible for the generation of Earth's magnetic field?

    <p>The swirling convective flow in the outer core</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Mohorovičić Discontinuity separate?

    <p>Crust and mantle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the inner core differ from the outer core in terms of its state under pressure?

    <p>It is solid despite being hotter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason that plates in the lithosphere can move over the asthenosphere?

    <p>The asthenosphere behaves plastically and flows</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Earth's Differentiation

    • Earth is separated into concentric layers based on composition and density
    • Dense materials like iron and nickel sank to form the core
    • Lighter silicates rose to form the mantle and crust

    Compositional Layers

    • Based on material composition
    • Crust: Outermost; oxygen is most abundant
      • Continental Crust: 20-90km thick; less dense (2.7g/cm3); mainly granite & andesite; more pores
      • Oceanic Crust: 5-10km thick; denser (3g/cm3); mainly basalt; fewer pores
    • Mantle: Beneath the crust; ~2,900km thick; 67% Earth's mass; solid rock; density ranging from 3.5-5.5 g/cm3; made of ultramafic rock called peridotite
    • Core: Innermost; iron-nickel alloy; 31% of Earth's composition; source of internal heat
      • Outer Core: ~2,255km thick; liquid due to high temperature; responsible for Earth's magnetic field
      • Inner Core: ~1,220km thick; solid due to intense pressure; slightly faster rotation due to magnetic field

    Mechanical Layers

    • Based on temperature and seismic wave penetration
    • Lithosphere: Rigid, solid (upper mantle + crust); broken into plates that move over the asthenosphere
    • Asthenosphere: Part of upper mantle; 'plastic' and flows slowly; heated to 1280°C or 2330°F
    • Lower Mantle/Mesosphere: Region of increased pressure; lowest part of mantle, near outer core

    Plate Tectonic Theory

    • Lithosphere is divided into individual pieces (plates)
    • Plates move over the asthenosphere due to convection currents

    Boundaries and Seismic Discontinuities

    • Seismic discontinuity: Abrupt change in seismic wave velocity at boundaries
    • Mohorovičić Discontinuity: Boundary between crust and mantle; named after seismologist Andrija Mohorovičić
    • Andrija discovered a change in seismic wave behavior at depths greater than 200km

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    Earth's Internal Structure PDF

    Description

    Explore the Earth's structure through its concentric layers, including the crust, mantle, and core. Learn about how materials like iron, nickel, and silicates are distributed and how each layer contributes to the planet's composition and behavior. This quiz will deepen your understanding of Earth's geological foundations.

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