Layers of the Earth

inner core

A dense sphere of solid iron and nickel at the center of Earth. The most dense layer

outer core

A layer of molten iron and nickel that surrounds the inner core of Earth

Magma

A molten mixture of rock-forming substances, gases, and water from the mantle

Lithosphere

A rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and the crust. Earth's lithosphere includes the crust and the uppermost mantle, which constitute the hard and rigid outer layer of the Earth. The lithosphere is subdivided into tectonic plates.

Lava

Magma that reaches Earth's surface

Convection

Process by which, in a fluid being heated, the warmer part of the mass will rise and the cooler portions will sink.

How fast are tectonic plates moving?

a few centimeters per year.

The mantle circulates ever so slowly moving the lithosphere plates on top of it due to ----------currents carrying heat from the interior of the earth to the surface.

convection

In what ways do tectonic plates move?

divergent, convergent, transform

the inner core is solid while the outer core is liquid due to the extreme-----------the inner core experiences.

pressure

cold fluids

sink and are more dense

oceanic crust

the portion of Earth's crust that is usually below the oceans and not associated with continental areas, thinner and higher in density that continental crust and basaltic rather than granitic in composition

continental crust

the relatively thick part of the earth's crust that forms the large landmasses. It is generally older and more complex than the oceanic crust.

what layer of the Earth makes up the most mass?

mantle

warm fluids

Expand, rise and are less dense than cold fluids.

What are tectonic plates?

The Earth's lithosphere broken into many pieces moving slowly over the asthenosphere

Mantle

The layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core. Also where convection is.

Asthenosphere

The soft layer of the mantle on which the tectonic plates move.The crust and the upper layer of the mantle together make up a zone of rigid, brittle rock called the Lithosphere

Mesosphere

The strong, lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core. Made up of soft solid rock.

tectonic plates move on top of the---------?

asthenosphere

Convection occurs in fluids because warmer,-------dense fluid rises while cool,-----dense fluid sinks

less, more