The layers of Earth

What are the earth´s layers according to chemical make up and physical properties? How does pressure and temperature interact inside the earth? These are some questions geologists make to them selves when they study the earth science. In this part of my blog I am going to talk abut this three questions. I hope you understand and have fun discovering the importance of the science of the earth´s interior.

There are two ways geologists call the layers of the earth. These are chemical and physical. The chemical layers of the earth are the crust, the mantle and the core. The core is the inner most part of the earth. This part of the earth contains most of it´s heat and energy. Then, comes the mantle observing from inside to outside. It is the second chemical layer, and it contains all the magma. It is the thickest layer of the three. And after these comes the crust that is were we live, which is made up by the continental and the oceanic plates, it is mainly rock. The mantle and the crust layers have a substance called silicates; while by the other hand, the core contains metals. Silicates are made out of silicon plus oxigen and added to this, other metals. Each layer is made up by different chemicals, here is from they take their name. As I already said, the core is made by metals that are rich in Fe (iron) and Ni (Nickel). The mantle, is made by silicates rich in Fe and Mg (magnesium). Finally, the crust is made up from silicates rich in Al (aluminium), Fe and Mg.

The other way scientists identify the earth’s layers is by the layers´ physical properties. There are five layers. Starting from the center, there is one called the inner core, then comes the outer core, mesosphere, asthenosphere and at last, the lithosphere. The very high pressure in the inner core is a more important factor than the very high pressure. As a result, the inner core is solid. Temperature is controlling, so the outer core is liquid. Circulation of this molten magma is believed to be the source of the earth’s magnetic field. The mesosphere is a rigid and solid because the temperature is not high enough to overcome the high pressure. The asthenosphere and its rocky material soft and flowing but not completely liquid has a condition called plasticity. Finally, and over the other layers comes the lithosphere. It is the outer layer it is cool and rigid. Includes the crust and the uppermost mantle. The lithosphere ¨floats¨ on top of the asthenosphere.