Earth's Layers Vocabulary

Front

The different layers of the Earth based on composition, including the crust, mantle, and core.

Back

Compositional layers

Front

The layers of the Earth based on physical properties, such as the lithosphere and asthenosphere.

Back

Mechanical layers

Front

The solid part of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle.

Back

Geosphere

Front

The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of rock.

Back

Crust

Front

The layer of the Earth between the crust and the core, composed of silicate rocks.

Back

Mantle

Front

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

Back

Core

Front

The part of Earth's crust that underlies the ocean basins, composed mainly of basalt.

Back

Oceanic crust

Front

The part of Earth's crust that forms the continents, composed mainly of granite.

Back

Continental crust

Front

The boundary between the Earth's crust and the mantle.

Back

Moho discontinuity

Front

The movement of fluid within the mantle that drives plate tectonics.

Back

Convection currents