Layers of the Earth Flashcards
What is the Asthenosphere?
The Asthenosphere is a semifluid layer (solid, yet acts like a viscous liquid), which is situated just beneath the Earth’s LITHOSPHERE, including the CRUST and UPPER MANTLE. Because the Asthenosphere is composed of rock near its boiling point, it behaves in a ductile way.
What is the Mantle?
The Mantle is a thick layer of rock, in between the Earth’s CRUST and CORE. It is divided into two sections, the LOWER and UPPER MANTLE. The ASTHENOSPHERE is a part of the UPPER MANTLE.
What is the Lithosphere?
The Lithosphere is the rigid, outer layer of the Earth. It encompasses both the Earth’s CRUST and uppermost part of the MANTLE. This layer is divided into TECTONIC PLATES.
What is the Crust?
The Earth’s Crust is the outermost layer of the Earth. It is relatively thin, and is divided into two parts; OCEANIC CRUST and CONTINENTAL CRUST.
What is the Inner and Outer Core?
The Earth’s CORE is divided into two; the INNER CORE, and OUTER CORE.
The INNER CORE is mostly composed of hot IRON and NICKEL, yet remains a solid due to the IMMENSE PRESSURE.
The OUTER CORE is also made out of IRON and NICKEL, however it also contains some LIGHTER ELEMENTS. It behaves as a liquid, as the PRESSURE isn’t enough to turn it solid.
