Earth's Layers PDF

GEOGRAPHY Earth's Geosphere  What is Geosphere? Geosphere refers to the solid part of the Earth, including the rocks, minerals, landforms, and the processes that shape them. In this lesson, we will explore the earth's layers and how the plates of the earth move. Layer...

GEOGRAPHY Earth's Geosphere  What is Geosphere? Geosphere refers to the solid part of the Earth, including the rocks, minerals, landforms, and the processes that shape them. In this lesson, we will explore the earth's layers and how the plates of the earth move. Layers of the Earth Earth's Tectonic Plates The Layers of the Earth The earth is divided into three main layers namely the crust, the mantle and the core. Understanding the different layers of the Earth helps us learn about what the Earth is made of, how it is structured, and how it behaves. Crust Mantle Core  Earth's Crust The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth. It is the thinnest layer, ranging from about 5 to 70 kilometers in thickness. The crust can be further divided into two types: continental crust and oceanic crust. Continental Crust Oceanic Crust The continental crust is the The oceanic crust is the thicker layer of the Earth's thinner layer of the Earth's crust that is found under the crust that is found under the continents. It is about 35 ocean basins. It is about 7 kilometers thick on average. kilometers thick on average.  Earth's Mantle The mantle is the layer beneath the Earth's crust. It is the thickest layer, extending from the base of the crust to a depth of approximately 2,900 kilometers. The mantle can be divided into an upper and lower layer. Upper Mantle Lower Mantle The upper mantle is relatively The solid lower mantle rigid and contains the contributes to the overall asthenosphere, a semi-fluid convection and heat layer that allows the transfer within the Earth's movement of tectonic plates. interior.  Earth's Core The core is the innermost layer of the Earth, situated beneath the mantle. It is divided into two distinct regions: the outer core and the inner core. Outer Core Inner Core The outer core is a liquid layer The inner core is the solid, composed mainly of molten central part of the earth. It iron and nickel. It has a has a radius of about 1,220 thickness of about 2,300 kilometers and is composed kilometers. of solid iron and nickel.  Crust The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth. It is the thinnest layer, ranging from about 5 to 70 kilometers in thickness. Mantle The mantle is the layer beneath the Earth's crust. It is the thickest layer, extending from the base of the crust to a depth of approximately 2,900 kilometers. Core The core is the innermost layer of the Earth, situated beneath the mantle. It is divided into two distinct regions: the outer core and the inner core.  What are Tectonic Plates? The Earth's crust is divided into large pieces called tectonic plates. These plates float on the semi-fluid mantle below them. Divergent Tectonic Boundary Convergent Tectonic Boundary Transform Tectonic Boundary  Types of Plate Boundaries Divergent Plate Convergent Plate Transform Plate Divergent Boundaries At divergent boundaries, plates move away from each other. This movement results in the creation of new crust as magma rises from the mantle, solidifies, and forms new oceanic crust. Divergent boundaries are responsible for On land, divergent plate boundaries create rift valleys. The the continuous reshaping and formation crust in these areas stretches and thins, causing the land to sink and create a valley. Magma from the mantle can of Earth's crust. rise to the surface, leading to volcanic activity. Convergent Boundaries Convergent boundaries are places where tectonic plates collide or come together. When two plates meet, their interactions can result in various geological phenomena. Convergent boundaries contribute to When two continental plates collide, neither plate is the formation of mountains, volcanic subducted due to their low density. Instead, the two plates compress and crumple, creating highly folded and uplifted activity, and earthquakes. mountain ranges. Transform Boundaries Transform boundaries occur when two plates slide past each other horizontally. The movement along these boundaries can cause earthquakes, as the plates grind against each other. Transform boundaries redistribute Unlike convergent or divergent boundaries, there is no stress and accommodates the creation or destruction of crust at transform boundaries. The plates simply grind against each other horizontally. movement between neighboring plates.  Divergent Boundaries At divergent boundaries, plates move away from each other. This movement results in the creation of new crust. Convergent Boundaries Convergent boundaries are places where tectonic plates collide or come together. When two plates meet, their interactions can result in various geological phenomena. Transform Boundaries Transform boundaries occur when two plates slide past each other horizontally. The movement along these boundaries can cause earthquakes.