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Plate Tectonics + Structure of the Earth

The Structure of the Earth

• 
• The crust is the outer layer of the earth. It is a thin layer between 0-60 km thick. The crust is the solid rock layer upon which we live.
• The mantle is the widest section of the Earth. It has a thickness of approximately 2,900 km. The mantle is made up of semi-molten rock called magma. In the upper parts of the mantle the rock is hard, but lower down the rock is soft and beginning to melt. It is around 5000°C.
• The outer core is the layer surrounding the inner core. It is a liquid layer, also made up of iron and nickel. It is still extremely hot, with temperatures similar to the inner core.
• The inner core is in the centre and is the hottest part of the Earth. It is solid and made up of iron and nickel with temperatures of up to 5,500°C.

Continental Crust Vs Oceanic Crust

• Continental Crust
• The surface of the earth that is found on the continents
• It has a thickness of around 25-70km
• It is less dense than the oceanic crust - around 2.7g/cubic cm
• Continental crust is not recycled
• Contin
• Oceanic Crust
• Oceanic crust is usually found on the floor of the oceans
• It has a thickness of around 7-10km
• It is more dense than continental crust - 2.9g/cubic cm
• Oceanic crust is recycled - when it subjects, it melts and forms new land
• It is mainly made from basalts