The Earth is composed of three main layers:
- Crust : This is the outermost layer where we live. It is a thin, solid layer made mostly of basalt (oceanic crust) and granite (continental crust). The crust is broken into tectonic plates and varies in thickness from about 5 to 70 kilometers
- Mantle : Located beneath the crust, the mantle is the thickest layer, extending about 2,900 kilometers deep. It is composed of hot, dense silicate rocks rich in iron and magnesium. The mantle behaves like a solid but can flow slowly over time due to its plasticity. It is divided into the upper mantle (including the asthenosphere) and the lower mantle
- Core : The innermost layer, composed mainly of iron and nickel, is divided into two parts: the liquid outer core and the solid inner core. The outer core's flowing liquid metal generates Earth's magnetic field, while the inner core is solid due to immense pressure
In summary, the Earth's three layers from outside to inside are the crust, mantle, and core, each with distinct physical and chemical properties.
