Structure of the

Earth’s Interior

Overview of Earth's Interior Structure

The Earth's interior consists of several

concentric layers formed from the
redistribution of materials during the Big
Event,
Splat which is believed to be the origin of the
Earth.

The primary layers identified are the crust,

Concentric Layers of the Earth mantle, and core, each with distinct
characteristics and compositions.

The lithosphere, which includes the crust and

the uppermost mantle, is the rigid outer layer
the
of Earth.

The crust is the outermost solid layer, varying in

thickness between oceanic and continental
regions.

The mantle is divided into the upper mantle,

Composition of the Earth's Layers asthenosphere, mesosphere, and lower man-
each
tle, with varying states of matter and densi-
ties.
The core consists of the outer core, which is
liquid, and the inner core, which is solid,
primarily composed of iron and nickel.

The Crust

The crust is the thinnest layer of the Earth, with

oceanic crust ranging from 5 to 30 km thick and
continental crust from 50 to 70 km thick.

The Himalayan region has a unique thickness

Characteristics of the Crust 70
of to 100 km, indicating significant geological
activity.

The temperature of the crust increases with

depth, reaching approximately 200°C to 400°C
near the mantle-crust boundary.

The continental crust is primarily composed of

granitic rock, with andesitic rock on the surface
and gabbro in the lower part.

The oceanic crust is mainly composed of

Composition of the Crust basaltic rock, which is denser than granitic
rock.
The mean density of the continental crust is 2.7
g/cm³, while the oceanic crust has a mean
density of 3 g/cm³.

The crust has various discontinuities that

indicate changes in profile, composition,
shape.
and

These discontinuities reflect the differences in

Discontinuities in the Crust rock types and densities between continental
and oceanic crust.

The crust's structure plays a crucial role in the

geological processes that shape the Earth's
surface.

The Mantle

The mantle extends from the Mohorovičić

discontinuity (Moho) at 35 km to a depth of
2,900 km, making up approximately 83% of the
Earth's volume and 67% of its mass.

It is divided into the upper mantle,

Structure of the Mantle asthenosphere, mesosphere, and lower man-
each
tle, with distinct properties and behaviors.

The upper mantle is solid, while the

asthenosphere is semi-solid and exhibits a jel-
like
ly- consistency due to temperature and
pressure conditions.

The upper mantle has a density ranging

2.9
fromto 3.3 g/cm³, while the lower mantle's
density ranges from 3.3 to 5.7 g/cm³.

The temperature within the mantle increases

Properties of the Mantle with depth, leading to the melting of rocks and
the formation of magma.

The mantle's material exhibits ductility due to

high temperatures, allowing for convective
material circulation.

The mantle's convection currents are

responsible for the movement of tectonic
plates, which float on the semi-fluid
asthenosphere.

These convection currents lead to geological

Mantle Convection and Geological Activity phenomena such as the formation of
volcanoes, islands, and mountain ranges.

The dynamics of the mantle play a critical role

in shaping the Earth's surface and influencing
seismic activity.

The Core

The Earth's core is divided into two main parts:

the outer core and the inner core.

The outer core is a liquid layer composed of

molten iron and nickel, while the inner core is
Structure of the Core solid ball of iron and nickel at the center of the
a
Earth.

The core's temperature is extremely high,

contributing to the generation of the Earth's
magnetic field.

The outer core's molten state allows for the

movement of liquid metals, which is essenti-
for
al the dynamo effect that generates the
magnetic field.

The inner core, despite the high tempera-

Composition of the Core remains
tures, solid due to the immense pressure at
the Earth's center.

The core's composition is primarily metallic,

with iron and nickel being the dominant
elements.

The core plays a vital role in the Earth's

geodynamics and magnetic properties,
influencing everything from plate tectonics to
the behavior of the atmosphere.

Understanding the core's structure and

Importance of the Core composition is crucial for comprehending
Earth's
the overall geological processes.

The interactions between the core and the

mantle contribute to the Earth's heat flow and
volcanic activity.