click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Layers of the Earth
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Crust | The outer layer of the Earth, about 5 km thick under the oceans and up to 70 km thick under the continents. |
Inner Core | The solid inner-most and hottest part of the earth. Approximately 1,000 km think. |
Mantle | The largest layer of the Earth composed of very hot, dense, flowing rock found below the crust and above the core. The mantle is approximately 3,000 km thick. |
Lithosphere | Rigid layer of Earth about 100 km thick, made of the crust and a part of the upper mantle. |
Asthenosphere | Plastic-like layer of Earth on which the lithospheric plates float and move around. It is approximately 500 km thick. |
Outer Core | The outer or upper zone of the earth's core including the transition zone. It is approximately 2,000 km thick. |