3.1. Tectonic Hazards
Part 1: Characteristics of the Earth's structure including core, mantle and crust and
the boundaries between them
Lithosphere The Earth’s crust and the rigid outer part of the mantle. It is broken into tectonic plates,
which move very slowly at 3-5 cm per year.
Asthenosphere The semi-molten part of the mantle. This is where the Earth’s plates float.
It is semi-molten as the rock behaves more like a liquid due to the hotter temperatures
nearer to the core.
It is made out of iron, magnesium and silicon. Making it dense and hot
In summary:
The lithosphere is made up of the crust and the outer part of the mantle
The asthenosphere is the semi-molten part of the mantle
,Distinguish between the different layers of the earth, considering composition, temperatures
and densities.
, Inner core Composition
- Solid iron and nickel
Temperature
- 5400oC (about as hot as the sun)
Density
- 10-12g/cm3
Outer core Composition
- Iron and nickel
Temperature
- 4500oC
Density
- 12.6 - 13 g/cm3
Mantle Composition
- Iron, magnesium, silicon
Temperature
- 1000 - 3700oC
Density
- 4.5g/cm3
Crust Composition
- Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Temperature
- 200-400oC
Density
- 2.6g/cm3
How does oceanic and continental crust differ? Why?
Part 1: Characteristics of the Earth's structure including core, mantle and crust and
the boundaries between them
Lithosphere The Earth’s crust and the rigid outer part of the mantle. It is broken into tectonic plates,
which move very slowly at 3-5 cm per year.
Asthenosphere The semi-molten part of the mantle. This is where the Earth’s plates float.
It is semi-molten as the rock behaves more like a liquid due to the hotter temperatures
nearer to the core.
It is made out of iron, magnesium and silicon. Making it dense and hot
In summary:
The lithosphere is made up of the crust and the outer part of the mantle
The asthenosphere is the semi-molten part of the mantle
,Distinguish between the different layers of the earth, considering composition, temperatures
and densities.
, Inner core Composition
- Solid iron and nickel
Temperature
- 5400oC (about as hot as the sun)
Density
- 10-12g/cm3
Outer core Composition
- Iron and nickel
Temperature
- 4500oC
Density
- 12.6 - 13 g/cm3
Mantle Composition
- Iron, magnesium, silicon
Temperature
- 1000 - 3700oC
Density
- 4.5g/cm3
Crust Composition
- Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Temperature
- 200-400oC
Density
- 2.6g/cm3
How does oceanic and continental crust differ? Why?
