structure of the earth Flashcards
what is geology?
the study of the earth’s interior
how do scientists study the inside of the the earth?
seismic waves
what are sound waves caused by?
earthquakes
what are the three layers of the earth?
crust, mantle, and core
what is the outer layer?
the crust
what is the crust made of?
rock
how thick is the crust?
22 miles
why is the crust only visible in a few places?
the soil and sediments cover it
what is the crust made of?
46.6% oxygen and 27.7% silicon
what’s the middle layer?
mantle
what is the mantle studied with?
seismic waves
why do scientists only study the mantle with seismic waves?
no one has been there
how thick is the mantle?
1800 miles
what is the mantle’s composition like?
the crust’s
what happens when you go farther in the mantle?
the density increases
what is the outer layer of the mantle made of?
solid rock
what are the rocks in the mantle like?
syrupy