Layers of the Earth

Front

What are seismic waves?

Back

Waves produced by earthquakes that help study the inner layers of the Earth.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

A layer that includes the Earth's crust and the upper mantle.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large pieces of Earth's crust that move atop the mantle.

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

A thick, mostly solid layer that makes up 85% of the total mass of the Earth.

Front

What is the outer core?

Back

A liquid layer of iron and nickel beneath the mantle.

Front

What is the Earth's crust?

Back

The outermost layer of the Earth, which is solid and relatively thin.

Front

What is the inner core?

Back

The solid innermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

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

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Movements within the mantle caused by the heat from the Earth's core, driving plate tectonics.

Front

What is the difference between the inner core and outer core?

Back

The inner core is solid, while the outer core is liquid.