Layers of the Earth

asthenosphere

the softer layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere (tectonic plates) move -made of solid rock that flows very slowly

mesosphere

the strong, lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core -means middle

Crust

the thin and solid outermost layer of the Earth above the mantle

seismic waves

waves produced by earthquakes, scientist use these waves to calculate the density and thickness of the layers of the Earth

convection currents

A circulation pattern in which material is heated and rises in one area, then cools and sinks in another area, flowing in a continuous loop

density

A property of matter representing the objects mass/volume

Continental crust

Crust about 30km to 100km thick that makes up the continents

Oceanic Crust

Crust about 5km to 7km thick that forms the ocean floors- thinner or more dense than the continental crust

inner core

densest and hottest layer of the Earth made of solid iron and nickel

outer core

is the liquid layer of the Earth's core made of the metals iron and nickel- lies beneath the mantle and surrounds the inner core

lithosphere

made up of the crust and the upper part of the mantle -solid, means stone or rock

tectonic plates

pieces of the lithosphere that move around on top of the asthenosphere

core

the central part of the Earth below the mantle

Mantle

the layer of rock between the Earth's crust and core