Earth's Interior

Front

What is the most common element in Earth's inner and outer core?

Back

Iron

Front

What is the plastic layer of the mantle on which pieces of the lithosphere move?

Back

Asthenosphere

Front

Why do scientists know that Earth's outer core is liquid?

Back

S-waves can't travel through it.

Front

What happens to an S-wave when it passes from a solid to a liquid?

Back

It would stop because S-waves can't pass through liquids.

Front

Where do earthquakes primarily occur?

Back

At the boundary between tectonic plates.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

A semi-fluid layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere that allows tectonic plates to move.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.

Front

What is the difference between P-waves and S-waves?

Back

P-waves are compressional waves that can travel through solids and liquids, while S-waves are shear waves that can only travel through solids.

Front

What is the outer core primarily composed of?

Back

Liquid iron and nickel.