Structure of the Earth

The Earth is divided into three main layers: the core, mantle, and crust.
The crust is the Earth's outermost layer, comprising solid rocks and minerals.
The thickness of the crust varies from 5 km under oceans to 70 km under continents.
The crust is divided into the continental crust and oceanic crust.
The continental crust is primarily composed of granite, while the oceanic crust is made of basalt.
The layer beneath the crust is the mantle, extending up to 2,900 km in depth.
The mantle is composed of silicate rocks rich in magnesium and iron.
The upper mantle includes the asthenosphere, a semi-fluid layer that allows tectonic plates to move.
The lithosphere comprises the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle.
The Earth's core is divided into the outer core and inner core.
The outer core is a liquid layer made primarily of iron and nickel.
The inner core is solid due to immense pressure and consists mostly of iron and nickel.
The temperature in the core can reach up to 6,000°C, comparable to the Sun's surface.
The Earth's magnetic field is generated by the movement of molten iron in the outer core.
The Earth's surface is divided into several tectonic plates that float on the mantle.
Plate tectonics explain phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and the formation of mountains.
The boundary between the crust and the mantle is called the Mohorovičić Discontinuity or Moho.
The boundary between the mantle and the core is known as the Gutenberg Discontinuity.
The inner core and outer core are separated by the Lehmann Discontinuity.
The Earth's structure is studied using seismic waves generated during earthquakes.
Seismic waves are of two types: Primary (P) waves and Secondary (S) waves.
P waves can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, while S waves travel only through solids.
The Earth's heat is primarily derived from radioactive decay and residual heat from its formation.
The Earth's crust contains abundant minerals and natural resources vital for human use.
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust due to its basaltic composition.
The mantle's upper part is partially molten and called the low-velocity zone.
The Earth's core constitutes about 15% of the Earth's volume but contributes significantly to its mass.
The mantle is the thickest layer, accounting for about 84% of Earth's volume.
The crust is the thinnest layer, making up less than 1% of Earth's volume.
The Earth's structure has been shaped by geological processes over billions of years.
The Earth's density increases with depth, with the core being the densest layer.
The study of Earth's interior is called geophysics.
Convection currents in the mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates.
Volcanic eruptions provide evidence of materials from the mantle reaching the surface.
The continental drift theory proposed by Alfred Wegener explains the movement of continents.
The concept of seafloor spreading explains the formation of new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges.
The Earth's structure influences surface features like mountains, valleys, and ocean basins.
The Earth's crust is rich in elements like oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and iron.
The inner core rotates slightly faster than the rest of the Earth.
The Earth's magnetic field undergoes reversals over geological time scales.
The mantle contains peridotite, a dense, dark-colored rock.
The crust and mantle interact at plate boundaries, causing subduction and uplift.
Understanding Earth's structure helps in exploring natural resources and mitigating natural disasters.
The Earth's layers are differentiated based on composition and physical state.