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