Lecture no 7 topic 6.3 Structure of Earth 0893/5054/0625

The Earth is structured in layers: the crust, mantle, and core (which includes an outer and inner core). The crust is the outermost, solid layer, while the mantle is a semi-solid, flowing layer beneath. The core is the Earth's center, with a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.
Detailed Structure:
Crust:
The outermost layer, relatively thin and rocky. It includes both the continental crust (thicker, made of granite-like rocks) and the oceanic crust (thinner, made of basalt-like rocks).
Mantle:
The thickest layer, located beneath the crust. It's made of semi-solid rock that can flow very slowly, like a very viscous fluid.
Core:
The Earth's center, divided into two parts:
Outer Core: Liquid layer composed mainly of iron and nickel.
Inner Core: Solid sphere of iron and nickel, kept solid by immense pressure.
Key Characteristics of Each Layer:
Crust: Brittle, contains rocks, minerals, and is the layer where life exists.
Mantle: Convection currents within the mantle drive plate tectonics, leading to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Outer Core: The movement of molten iron in the outer core generates Earth's magnetic field.
Inner Core: Extremely hot, but solid due to pressure.
Understanding the Layers:
Knowing the structure of the Earth is crucial for understanding geological processes like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountains. The different layers have different compositions, densities, and temperatures, which influence their behavior and interactions