Layers of the Earth for Kids | Learn facts about the different layers of Earth

Summary

This educational video script explores the Earth's fascinating layers, starting with the familiar crust, which varies in thickness and includes the lithosphere and asthenosphere. It delves into the mantle, the planet's largest layer made of magma, contributing 84% of Earth's volume. The outer core, a liquid mix of nickel and iron, and the inner core, where immense pressure solidifies the molten metals, are also highlighted. The script invites viewers to appreciate the complexity beneath their feet and offers a quiz to reinforce learning.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The Earth's diameter is nearly 8,000 miles, which means it would take 4,000 years to reach the center by digging 15 feet per day.
• 🏔 The Earth is composed of four main layers: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.
• 🧱 The crust is the outermost layer, varying in thickness from 3 to 5 miles (oceanic crust) to 25 miles (continental crust).
• 🔥 The crust's temperature can range from air temperature to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt rocks.
• 🌐 The crust is divided into tectonic plates that float on the mantle and move, causing earthquakes.
• 🪨 Beneath the crust are the lithosphere, made of solid rock, and the asthenosphere, a semi-molten layer where plates float.
• 🌋 The mantle is the largest layer, 1800 miles thick, composed of magma-like rock that fuels volcanic activity.
• 🔥🌡 The mantle's temperature ranges from 1600 degrees Fahrenheit at the top to 4000 degrees at the bottom.
• 🌀 The outer core is a liquid layer of melted nickel and iron, 1800 miles below the surface and 1400 miles thick, with temperatures between 4000 and 9000 degrees.
• 🔥🔧 The inner core, as hot as the outer core, is under such high pressure that the iron and nickel are solid despite the heat.
• 🔍 The process of plate movement on the Earth's mantle is called plate tectonics.

Q & A

What is the Earth's diameter and how long would it take to reach its core if you dug 15 feet per day?

The Earth's diameter is nearly 8,000 miles. At a rate of 15 feet per day, it would take 4,000 years to reach the center of the Earth.

How many main layers does the Earth consist of?

The Earth is made up of four main layers: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.

What is the Earth's crust and what are its two types based on location?

The Earth's crust is the outermost layer where we walk on daily. It comes in two types: oceanic crust, which is thinner at 3 to 5 miles under the oceans, and continental crust, which is thicker at about 25 miles under continental land.

What is the range of temperatures in the Earth's crust?

The temperatures in the Earth's crust can vary from air temperature to as hot as 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, which is enough to melt rocks.

What are the lithosphere and asthenosphere, and how are they related to plate tectonics?

The lithosphere is the solid, rigid upper layer of the Earth, including the crust and the uppermost mantle. The asthenosphere is the semi-molten part of the upper mantle below the lithosphere. Together, they are involved in plate tectonics, where the lithosphere forms the plates that float on the asthenosphere.

What is the mantle made of and how thick is it?

The mantle is made up of extremely hot, dense rock similar to magma and is about 1800 miles thick. It constitutes 84 percent of the Earth's volume.

What causes volcanic activity on the Earth's surface?

Volcanic activity is caused by the melted rock from the mantle that escapes to the Earth's surface.

What are the two metals that make up the outer core of the Earth?

The outer core is primarily composed of two melted metals: nickel and iron.

What is unique about the inner core despite being as hot as the outer core?

The inner core is unique because, despite being as hot as the outer core, the immense pressure from the layers above forces the molten iron and nickel to vibrate as solids.

What is the temperature range of the outer core?

The temperature of the outer core ranges between 4,000 and 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

How can one remember the layers of the Earth after learning about them?

One can remember the Earth's layers by examining the ground they walk on and possibly digging a hole, which symbolizes the layers beneath the surface.

What is the term used for the movement of the Earth's crustal plates on the mantle?

The term used for the movement of the Earth's crustal plates on the mantle is called plate tectonics.