5 Questions
What are the two types of crust that make up the Earth's structure and what are their compositions?
The two types of crust are Continental Crust (sial) and Oceanic Crust (sima). Continental Crust is made up of silica and aluminium, while Oceanic Crust is made up of silica and magnesium.
What is the main difference between Continental Crust and Oceanic Crust?
The main difference is that Continental Crust (sial) is less dense and floats on top of the denser sima, while Oceanic Crust (sima) is denser and broken into plates.
What is the composition of granite rock and how is it formed?
Granite rock is formed from the combination of silica and aluminium when combined with oxygen.
What is the depth of the Earth's crust below the oceans and continents?
The Earth's crust is up to about 5 kilometers deep below the oceans and 20-65 kilometers deep below the surface of the continents.
What are the three main layers that make up the internal structure of the Earth?
The three main layers are Crust, Mantle, and Core.
Study Notes
Earth's Structure
- The Earth's structure is composed of two types of crust: Continental Crust and Oceanic Crust.
- Continental Crust is thicker, with a average thickness of 30-50 km, and composed of granite rocks, rich in silica and oxygen.
- Oceanic Crust is thinner, with an average thickness of 5-10 km, and composed of basalt rocks, rich in iron and magnesium.
Difference between Continental Crust and Oceanic Crust
- The main difference between Continental Crust and Oceanic Crust is their density and composition, with Continental Crust being less dense and more buoyant.
Granite Rock
- Granite rock is a common type of rock found in the Continental Crust, composed of quartz, feldspar, and other minerals.
- Granite is formed through the slow cooling of magma deep in the Earth's crust, resulting in a coarse-grained texture.
Depth of the Earth's Crust
- The depth of the Earth's crust varies, with the crust beneath the oceans averaging around 5-10 km, and the crust beneath the continents averaging around 30-50 km.
Internal Structure of the Earth
- The internal structure of the Earth is composed of three main layers: Crust, Mantle, and Core.
- The Crust is the outermost layer, ranging in thickness from 5-70 km.
- The Mantle is the thick layer beneath the Crust, divided into the Upper Mantle and Lower Mantle.
- The Core is the innermost layer, composed of a solid Inner Core and a liquid Outer Core.
Test your knowledge on the internal structure of the Earth, including the composition and characteristics of its main layers such as the crust, mantle, and core.
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