Earth's Layers

Question 1

What are the different kinds of Earth’s layers?

Answer 1

Crust, Mantle (lithosphere, asthenosphere), Outer Core, Inner Core.

Question 2

What is the thinnest layer of Earth?

Answer 2

The Crust

Question 3

In the Crust, there are two solid crusts; what are they?

Answer 3

Continental, and Oceanic

Question 4

Which solid crust is thinner and which one is less dense?

Answer 4

The continental crust is less dense and thicker.

Question 5

What is the thickest layer of Earth?

Answer 5

The Mantle

Question 6

The Mantle is made of two layers. What are they?

Answer 6

The Lithosphere/asthenosphere and the lower layer of solid material.

Question 7

Which section of the Mantle are the tectonic plates made of?

Answer 7

The Lithosphere.

Question 8

Which section of the Mantle do Convection Currents occur?

Answer 8

The asthenosphere.

Question 9

What is a Convection Current?

Answer 9

The force that moves tectonic plates.

Question 10

What is the Outer Core responsible for?

Answer 10

Earth’s Magnetic field.

Question 11

Is the outer Core made up of liquid or solid material?

Answer 11

Liquid.

Question 12

What elements is the outer core made of?

Answer 12

Iron and nickel.

Question 13

Is the inner core made of solid or liquid material?

Answer 13

solid

Question 14

What does the inner core provide?

Answer 14

It provides heat energy that drives the convection currents in the mantle.

Question 15

What gives us information about Earth’s layers?

Answer 15

Earth’s seismic waves and rock samples.

Question 16

What is the cycle of Convection currents?

Answer 16

1. The hot material rises up from below until it bumps into the the solid crust above it.
2. The material then gets forced to the sides, dragging the crust along with it.
3. Eventually, the material cools down and sinks back into the mantle to be reheated.
4. Then the whole process repeats!

Question 17

What are some characteristics of the lithosphere?

Answer 17

• hard/rocky
• part with the crust
• made with igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks
• floats on the mantle

Question 18

What are some characteristics of the asthenesphere?

Answer 18

-acts like plastic (silly putty)
- movement from convection currents occur

Question 19

Where are the youngest rocks of Earth found?

Answer 19

At mid-ocean ridges, and volcanoes.

Question 20

Where are the oldest rocks of Earth found?

Answer 20

On the continents far away from spreading centers (mid-ocean ridges)

Question 21

What are the 2 things that cause convection currents?

Answer 21

1. differences in density
2. differences in tempreture.