Earths Interior Flashcards
What are the two main types of evidence geologists used to learn about earths interior
Direct evidence from rock samples
Indirect evidence from seismic waves
Oceanic crust
Basalt
Continental crust
Forms the continents
Granite
What is the mantle
Solid, hot rock 40 kilometers beneath the earths surface
What are the 3 layers of the mantle
Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Lower mantle
What is the crust
Layer of solid rock that forms the earths outer “skin”
Includes dry land and ocean floor
What are the two types of the crust
Oceanic crust
Continental crust
What is the core
Iron and nickel
What are the two layers of the core
Outer core
Inner core
Inner core
Dense ball of solid metal
Outer core
Layer of molten metal that surrounds inner core
Lithosphere
Uppermost part of mantle about 100 kilometers deep
Asthenosphere
Softer part of the mantle below the lithosphere which is hotter and under increased pressure
Lower mantle
Solid material extending to the earths core
Direct evidence from rock samples
Rocks drilled from deep earth allow geologists to make inferences about the conditions