Science 5005 Flashcards
The Earth is made up of several layers:
What are the three layers?
crust/lithosphere, mantle, and core.
The Earth gets ______ toward the center.
denser
What is the outermost solid layer of Earth? 0–100 km (silicates)
Crust
The temperature of the Earth ________ as you move closer to the center of the Earth.
increases
The _______ is not liquid; it is ductile or plastic, which means that some parts of the mantle can flow under certain conditions and changes in pressure. The ________ is mainly composed of aluminum and silicates. 100–2900 km
What composition layer is this?
Mantle
The innermost layers of Earth. Earth has an outer _____ (liquid) and an inner _____ (solid). The _____ is mainly composed of nickel and iron.
What composition layer is this?
Core
Underneath the lithosphere. It is about 100km thick. This region of the mantle flows relatively easily. The mantle is NOT liquid.
100–350 km
What Mechanical Layer is this?
Asthenosphere
The outermost and most rigid mechanical layer of Earth. The _______ includes the crust and the top of the mantle.
0–100 km
What Mechanical Layer is this?
Lithosphere
A layer of liquid iron and nickel (and other elements) beneath the mesosphere. This is the only layer of Earth that is a true liquid.
5100–6370 km
What Mechanical Layer is this?
Outer Core
Beneath the asthenosphere. It encompasses the lower mantle, where material still flows but at a much slower rate than in the asthenosphere.
350–2900 km
What Mechanical Layer is this?
Mesosphere
The layer of gases that surround the planet.
Atmosphere
The masses of frozen water. For example, frozen lakes, frozen rivers, frozen oceans, and glaciers are part of the __________.
Earth’s Spheres – Above the Crust
Cryosphere
The global sum of all ecosystems and living organisms.
Earth Science
Earth’s Spheres – Above the Crust
Biosphere
All the water on Earth in liquid form. For example, lakes, rivers, and oceans are all part of the ________.
Earth Science
Earth’s Spheres – Above the Crust
Hydrosphere
The outermost shell of Earth. Earth’s crust is the _________.
Earth Science
Earth’s Spheres – Above the Crust
Lithosphere
The gases present in Earth’s atmosphere are:
Earth Science
Nitrogen – 78%
Oxygen – 21%
Argon – .09%
Carbon dioxide – .01%
Helium – small traces
Neon – small traces
Other gases – small traces
Earth’s atmosphere also contains multiple layers:
Earth Science
Troposphere0–12 km above Earth. *Most of Earth’s weather occurs here.
Stratosphere12–50 km above Earth. *Contains the ozone layer.
Mesosphere50–80 km above Earth.
Thermosphere80–700 km above Earth.
Exosphere700–1000 km above Earth.
Earth’s atmosphere also contains multiple layers:
0–12 km above Earth. *Most of Earth’s weather occurs here.
Earth Science
Troposphere
12–50 km above Earth. *Contains the ozone layer.
Earth’s atmosphere also contains multiple layers:
Earth Science
Stratosphere
50–80 km above Earth.
Earth’s atmosphere also contains multiple layers:
Earth Science
Mesosphere
Earth’s atmosphere also contains multiple layers:
80–700 km above Earth.
Earth Science
Thermosphere
Earth’s atmosphere also contains multiple layers:
700–1000 km above Earth.
Earth Science
Exosphere
Are formed because of Earth’s tectonic plates smashing together.
Earth Science
Mountains
Are formations made from rocks that exist on the lithosphere. Examples include volcanoes, mountains, and canyons.
Earth Science
Geologic formations