Earth's Layers Quiz

What is the approximate distance from the surface to the center of the Earth?

S-waves can travel through both solid and liquid materials.

What scientific study focuses on earthquakes and volcanic eruptions?

A mineral is a solid, naturally occurring, crystalline object with a defined chemical __________.

Match the types of seismic waves with their characteristics:

Which program focuses on scientific ocean drilling?

All solids are considered minerals.

How do seismologists use seismic waves to study Earth's interior?

What is the lithosphere primarily composed of?

The lithosphere includes the entire mantle.

What layer of Earth is known to be the semi-fluid layer beneath tectonic plates?

The __________ is about 2,900 km below Earth's surface and is made mostly of iron and nickel.

Match the following layers of Earth with their properties:

What is the thickness range of the Earth's crust?

The mantle accounts for about 85% of Earth's volume.

What phenomenon is caused by molten rock being forced to the surface during a volcanic eruption?

Earth's Layers

Earth has several layers with distinct properties.
The lithosphere is the uppermost solid layer, comprising the crust and upper mantle.
The lithosphere extends from the surface to 50-280 km below.
It's mainly composed of rocks, minerals, and solid ground.

Crust

The crust is Earth's outermost, thin layer (5-70 km thick).
It accounts for only 1% of Earth's mass.
Two types exist: oceanic (thin, dense) and continental (thick, less dense).

Mantle

The mantle is a thick layer (2,900 km) making up 85% of Earth's volume.
Divided into upper and lower mantle.
The upper mantle (asthenosphere) is semi-molten rock flowing in convection currents.
The mantle is dense, iron-rich, and hotter than the crust.

Core

The core is the innermost layer, located 2,900 km below the surface.
Composed of an outer and inner core.
Mostly iron and nickel, with the inner core being solid due to immense pressure.
The center of Earth is approximately 6,500 km from the surface.

Plate Tectonics

The lithosphere is divided into rigid plates.
Plates float/rest on the asthenosphere.
Plate movement is driven by convection currents within the mantle.
Plates can collide, slide past, or separate.

Studying Earth's Interior

Seismologists use seismic waves (P-waves & S-waves) from earthquakes to study the inner structure.
P-waves travel through solids and liquids; S-waves only travel through solids.
The behavior of seismic waves helps determine the composition and state of each layer.
Scientists also drill into the crust to study its structure.

Minerals

A mineral is a naturally occurring, crystalline solid with a defined chemical composition.
Minerals have a regular internal crystalline structure.
Key physical properties include luster, hardness, cleavage, fracture, magnetism, density, and acid reaction.
Water is not a mineral as it's liquid, unlike solid minerals.

Test your knowledge on the Earth's layers, including the crust, mantle, and core. This quiz covers the properties, composition, and significance of each layer. Explore concepts such as lithosphere and density variations.