Layers of the Earth Definition Worksheet - Free Printable

Problem Overview:

The task involves matching the layers of the Earth with their definitions and then labeling a diagram of the Earth's layers. The layers provided are:

1. Lithosphere
2. Outer Core
3. Crust
4. Mantle
5. Asthenosphere
6. Inner Core

The definitions are given in a separate section, and we need to match each layer with its correct definition.

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Step 1: Match the Layers to Their Definitions

#### Definitions:
1. The innermost layer, extremely hot and solid, composed of mostly iron and nickel.
- This describes the Inner Core. It is the deepest layer of the Earth, solid due to immense pressure despite high temperatures.

2. The earth’s outermost and thinnest layer, hard and rigid, and only a few miles thick under the oceans and averaging 20 miles thick under the continents.
- This describes the Crust. It is the outermost layer and varies in thickness between oceanic and continental regions.

3. Hot, malleable semiliquid in the upper mantle on which the plates of the lithosphere float.
- This describes the Asthenosphere. It is part of the upper mantle and allows tectonic plates to move.

4. Made up of the crust and a tiny bit of the upper mantle, this layer is divided into constantly moving plates of solid rock that hold the continents and the oceans.
- This describes the Lithosphere. It includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle, forming the rigid plates.

5. A dense layer subdivided into upper and lower regions made of hot, semisolid rock located directly below the crust and about 1,800 miles thick.
- This describes the Mantle. It is the largest layer of the Earth, extending from the crust to the core.

6. The only liquid layer of the earth, this layer is made up mostly of iron and nickel. It is located about 2000 miles below the surface.
- This describes the Outer Core. It is liquid due to the balance between temperature and pressure.

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Matched Pairs:

1. Lithosphere → Made up of the crust and a tiny bit of the upper mantle, this layer is divided into constantly moving plates of solid rock that hold the continents and the oceans.
2. Outer Core → The only liquid layer of the earth, this layer is made up mostly of iron and nickel. It is located about 2000 miles below the surface.
3. Crust → The earth’s outermost and thinnest layer, hard and rigid, and only a few miles thick under the oceans and averaging 20 miles thick under the continents.
4. Mantle → A dense layer subdivided into upper and lower regions made of hot, semisolid rock located directly below the crust and about 1,800 miles thick.
5. Asthenosphere → Hot, malleable semiliquid in the upper mantle on which the plates of the lithosphere float.
6. Inner Core → The innermost layer, extremely hot and solid, composed of mostly iron and nickel.

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Step 2: Label the Diagram

The diagram shows a cross-section of the Earth with labeled arrows pointing to different layers. Based on the matched definitions, we can label the layers as follows:

1. Inner Core: The very center of the Earth.
2. Outer Core: The layer surrounding the inner core.
3. Mantle: The thick layer surrounding the outer core.
4. Asthenosphere: A part of the upper mantle, just below the lithosphere.
5. Lithosphere: Includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.
6. Crust: The outermost layer, shown at the top of the diagram.

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Final Answer:

- Matched Pairs:
1. Lithosphere → Made up of the crust and a tiny bit of the upper mantle, this layer is divided into constantly moving plates of solid rock that hold the continents and the oceans.
2. Outer Core → The only liquid layer of the earth, this layer is made up mostly of iron and nickel. It is located about 2000 miles below the surface.
3. Crust → The earth’s outermost and thinnest layer, hard and rigid, and only a few miles thick under the oceans and averaging 20 miles thick under the continents.
4. Mantle → A dense layer subdivided into upper and lower regions made of hot, semisolid rock located directly below the crust and about 1,800 miles thick.
5. Asthenosphere → Hot, malleable semiliquid in the upper mantle on which the plates of the lithosphere float.
6. Inner Core → The innermost layer, extremely hot and solid, composed of mostly iron and nickel.

- Diagram Labels:
- Inner Core
- Outer Core
- Mantle
- Asthenosphere
- Lithosphere
- Crust

Final Answer: \boxed{\text{See above for matches and labels.}}