The Earth's structure consists of a crust, mantle and core; each one of these components has unique properties, varying by size and temperature.
Composition of the Earth
Earth is made up of different layers called the crust, mantle and core. The crust is the outermost layer and the core is the innermost layer
Properties of the crust
The crust is the outermost layer of Earth and lies above the mantle. It is the thinnest layer of the Earth and there's actually two types of crust- the continental crust and the oceanic crust. they are both made from rock.
Properties of oceanic and continental crust
Continental crust
Oceanic crust
Thicker: 30−70km.
Thinner: 6−12km.
Less dense.
More dense.
Cannot be made or destroyed.
Can be made or destroyed.
Properties of the mantle
The mantle is found between the core and crust of the Earth. It is made up of magma (molten rock). The rock is molten due to high temperatures in the mantle (they range from 1000−3700°C)
Tip: molten means melted and so magma has a thick, fluid-like structure, which can flow very slowly.
Properties of the core
The core is the innermost layer of the Earth. It is the thickest layer of the Earth and it is actually made up of two parts- the inner core and the outer core. The inner core is the hottest layer of the Earth. The core is made up of two main metals: nickel and iron
Properties of the inner and outer core
Inner core
Outer core
Made up of solid nickel and iron.
Made up of liquid nickel and iron.
Higher temperature: 5000−5500°C.
Lower temperature: 4000−5000°C.
1220km thick.
2200km thick.
Tip: Although the inner core is the hottest layer of Earth, it is solid because the pressure is immensely high, preventing the iron and nickel metal from melting.
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mantle made up of?
The mantle is made up of magma.
What are the two different types of crust on Earth?
Earth has two types of crust - continental crust and oceanic crust.
