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
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