Scribd
Upload
7 views11 pages

plate tectonics

The document outlines the formation and structure of Earth's interior, detailing the separation of materials into the core, mantle, and crust. It describes the layers of the Earth, including the lithosphere, asthenosphere, outer core, and inner core, along with their compositions and characteristics. Additionally, it introduces the theory of plate tectonics, explaining the movement of large plates on Earth's surface and the processes involved in divergent and convergent movements.

Uploaded by

Ymme Lou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
7 views11 pages

plate tectonics

The document outlines the formation and structure of Earth's interior, detailing the separation of materials into the core, mantle, and crust. It describes the layers of the Earth, including the lithosphere, asthenosphere, outer core, and inner core, along with their compositions and characteristics. Additionally, it introduces the theory of plate tectonics, explaining the movement of large plates on Earth's surface and the processes involved in divergent and convergent movements.

Uploaded by

Ymme Lou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics

Beginning
• The earth began as a
molten ball of liquid
rocks and made up of
randomly mixed
materials.
• Over time the
materials separated.
• Dense materials such
as nickel and iron
sank in the center of
the earth and form
the core.
Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics
Beginning
• Less dense
materials rose to
the top and form
the earth’s crust
Earth’s Interior and Plate Tectonics
Beginning
• As it cool it’s
crust, mantel
and core
developed
Layers of the Earth
Crust
• Made up of Rocks/Minerals Upper Mantle called
• 5 - 70 KM thick Lithosphere Mantle
• Solid. As rocks and minerals Middle Mantle called • Varied Minerals
grew cold, they solidify. Asthenosphere • 2,900 KM thick
Lower Mantle called • Mesosphere is liquid
Mesosphere • Asthenosphere is pyro-plastic
Outer Core • Lithosphere is solid
• Made up of Nickel and Iron
• 2,220 KM thick
• Liquid. Due to the heat of the
inner core, Iron and Nickel
melts and remain liquid. Inner Core
• Made up of Nickel and Iron
• 1,228 KM thick
• Solid due to high pressure
from the weight of the upper
layers. The hottest layer.
Plate Tectonics
• Plate Tectonics
– The theory
that earth’s
surface is
made up of
large moving
plates
Plate Tectonics
• Lithosphere –
the thin outer
shell of Earth,
consisting of
the crust and
the rigid upper
mantle.
Plate Tectonics
• Athenosphere
– The zone of the
mantle beneath
the lithosphere
– consists of slowly
flowing solid rock.
Plate Tectonics
• Magma –
molten rock
within the
earth.
• Heats up
materials
causing it to
expand
Plate Tectonics
• Expanding
region of
athenosphere
pushes
lithosphere
upwards.

• This causes
the
lithosphere
to crack.
Two kinds of Plate Movements

• Divergent Movement

• Convergent Movement

You might also like