Earth's Interior

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Crust
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Terms in this set (19)
Crust
Outermost layer of Earth. Least dense and coolest layer.
Image: Crust
Mantle
The layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core ("putty-like").
Image: Mantle
Outer Core
A layer of molten (liquid) iron and nickel that surrounds the inner core of Earth.
Image: Outer Core
Inner Core
A dense sphere of solid iron and nickel at the very center of Earth.
Image: Inner Core
Lithosphere
A rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and the crust. Tectonic plates are made out of this layer.
Image: Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
The soft layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats. Convection currents are found in this layer.
Image: Asthenosphere
Mesosphere
The strong, lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core.
Image: Mesosphere
Convection Currents
Circular currents in the mantle caused by the magma being heated by the core of the Earth. Responsible for moving tectonic plates.
Image: Convection Currents
Seismic Waves
Vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake.
Image: Seismic Waves
Primary Waves (P Waves)
Seismic waves that travel through solids, liquids, and gases.
Secondary Waves (S Waves)Seismic waves that travel through ONLY solids.SeismographsInstruments that record earthquake waves.BasaltA dark, dense, igneous rock with a fine texture, found in oceanic crust.GraniteA usually light- colored igneous rock that is found in continental crust.Continental CrustPortion of the earth's crust that primarily contains granite and is less dense than oceanic crust.Oceanic CrustPortion of Earth's crust that is below the oceans, primarily contains basalt, and is thinner and higher in density than continental crust.DensityA measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume. (mass / volume)MassA measure of the amount of matter in an object.VolumeAmount of space an object takes up.

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