The Earth is made up of three layers, the crust, the mantle and the core. Each layer has different characteristics and temperatures, becoming hotter as it approaches the core.
Man has never reached the Earth's core, but the study of the planet's internal structure is possible thanks to the studies of geophysicists, who are dedicated to the study of seismology. They observe the phenomena of seismic waves and rely on the help of devices to define the characteristics of each layer.
What are the Earth's layers?
The Earth is made up of three layers:
- Earth's crust: more superficial layer, with a relatively thin structure and very rocky.
- cloak: located below the crust, it has solid properties.
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Core: Earth's innermost and hottest layer. It has two parts:
- outer core: formed by nickel and liquid iron.
- inner core: Also made of nickel, but with solid iron.
Earth's crust
THE Earth's crust it is the outermost part of the Earth, which surrounds the entire planet and where we live. This layer is formed by rocks rich in silicon, magnesium and aluminum.
This layer is from 0 to 40 km thick, varying between continents and oceans.
The crust is formed by large solid portions called tectonic plates, which move slowly over the Earth's mantle.
The region called the Mohorovicic Discontinuity, divides the crust of the Earth's mantle.
cloak
The mantle is the most extensive layer, located beneath the Earth's crust. It is formed by different types of rocks, such as silicon and magnesium, which remain in a liquid state as a result of the heat emanating from the core.
The mantle is divided into two layers: upper mantle and lower mantle. The lower mantle remains at high temperatures, reaching up to 2,000 º C. It can reach up to 3,000 kilometers deep from the lithosphere.
THE lithosphere, formed by the earth's crust and upper mantle, is at least 70 kilometers thick just below the continents and nearly 10 kilometers below the oceans.
It is divided into large portions called tectonic plates that move slowly over the earth's mantle.
The rocks of the lithosphere are divided into magmatic or igneous rocks, formed by the magma that solidifies; sedimentary rocks, formed by erosions and metamorphic rocks, which are formed by magmatic rocks and sedimentary.
The Gutenberg Discontinuity divides the mantle and core region.
Core
The core accounts for nearly a third of the entire Earth's mass. It is mainly composed of the metals iron and nickel. Therefore, the nucleus can also be called nife, due to the presence of these two chemical elements.
This layer is divided into inner and outer core. The temperature of the outer core is between 2,900 to 5,100 km, it is more fluid and its temperatures vary between 3,000º C and 3,800º C. The inner core is 5,100 to 6,370 km long, being solid.
Only in 2013, scientists were able to specify the temperature at the Earth's core, which can reach 6,000 °C, the same as the Sun.
According to scientists, the temperature of the Earth's core is so high that iron can be brought to a liquid state. The material, however, reverts to a solid state as a result of pressure, which causes it to clump together again.
Learn more, read also:
- Internal Structure of the Earth
- Types of Rocks
- tectonics
- origin of the earth
- Earth Layers Exercises
