- Crust: The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of solid rock. It is thinnest under the oceans and thickest under continents.
- Mantle: The thick layer between the crust and the core, made of hot, semi-solid rock that flows slowly over long periods.
- Outer Core: A liquid layer composed mainly of iron and nickel, responsible for generating Earth’s magnetic field through convection currents.
- Inner Core: The innermost layer, a solid ball of iron and nickel under extreme pressure and temperature, despite its high heat.
- Lithosphere: The rigid outer part of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle, broken into tectonic plates.
- Asthenosphere: The soft, ductile layer of the upper mantle beneath the lithosphere, allowing tectonic plates to move.
- Mesosphere: The strong, lower part of the mantle, located between the asthenosphere and the outer core.
- Convection Currents: Heat-driven movements in the mantle that transfer thermal energy and drive plate tectonics.
- Plate Tectonics: The theory explaining how Earth’s lithospheric plates move, interact, and reshape the surface through processes like earthquakes and mountain building.
- Seismic Waves: Vibrations that travel through the Earth during earthquakes, used to study the structure and composition of Earth’s layers.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of structure of the earth worksheet.
