| crust - the rigid, rocky outer
surface of the Earth, composed mostly of basalt and granite.
The crust is thinner under the oceans.
inner core - the solid
iron-nickel center of the Earth that is very hot and under
great pressure.
mantle - a rocky layer located
under the crust - it is composed of silicon, oxygen,
magnesium, iron, aluminum, and calcium. Convection (heat)
currents carry heat from the hot inner mantle to the cooler
outer mantle.
outer core - the molten
iron-nickel layer that surrounds the inner core. |
