Structure of the Earth
- Created by: bethanymcguire
- Created on: 16-05-17 09:27
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- Structure of the Earth
- Inner Core
- Solid
- due to intense density pushing down
- 1200km thick
- densest part of the earth
- made up of rocks rich in iron and nickle
- hottest layer, over 6,000 degrees c,
- where radioactive decay occurs, which fuels the cycles seen on the earth like the rock cycle.
- provides heat to fuel the convection currents in the mantle
- Solid
- Outer Core
- semi/ liquid
- the deeper you go, the greater the density, up to 5000 degrees c
- As the earth rotates so does the liquid which helps form the earths magnetic field
- 2250km thick
- Mantle
- location of the convection currents
- widest layer, 2900km thick
- made up of silicate rocks rich in iron and magnesium
- due to high temperatures/pressure, silicate rocks are mainly semi molten
- however we do not know for sure if the mantle is liquid as we are unable to drill any further into the crust.
- however due to earthquakes and volcanic activity(magma) we can assume there is another layer below
- however we do not know for sure if the mantle is liquid as we are unable to drill any further into the crust.
- Crust
- Solid
- the thinnest layer and divided into plates
- low density and contains elements like oxygen, potassium and sodium
- Oceanic
- Denser, will subduct
- can be renewed and destroyed. newer rock
- Mainly basalts
- Silica and Magnesium = SIMA
- Continental
- less dense, will not subduct
- cannot be renewed or destroyed. older rock
- mainly granites
- Silica and Aluminium = SIAL
- Lithosphere
- crust and the upper mantle
- where the tectonic plates are found
- Asthenosphere
- lower mantle
- where the convection currents occur
- Inner Core
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