Inner Core

Solid

Diameter = 1480 km

3200 - 3960 miles below surface

Temp = 9032 – 10,832 ºF (5000-6000 ºC)

Outer Core

Plastic/ liquid

1990 Km thick1,800 - 3,200 miles below surface

Temp = 7200 - 9032 ºF (4000 - 5000ºC)

Mantle

2865 km thick (80% of earth’s volume)

Temp = 5400 ºF (3000ºC)

3 distinct layers

Mesosphere

Non-Newtonian substance

AsthenosphereGreek meaning ‘without strength’

124 miles (200 km) thick

45–155 miles (72–250 km) below surface

Plastic/ Liquid

Temp = 2640 oF (1400 oC)

Andrija Mohorovičić

First to use seismic waves to determine earth’s layers in 1909

Mohorovičić Discontinuity

Lower Lithosphere

Brittle

Broken

Upper Lithosphere or Crust

Solid

Broken into Plates

High in Silica

Rigid with some flexibility

Two types of crust

Oceanic Crust

4-7 miles (6-11 km) thick

Basalt

Age is relatively young

Continental Crust

Ave. thickness of 20 to 25 miles

(30 to 40 km)

Granite

Much older than oceanic