What are thease layers of earth made of?
Crust Lower mantel outer core inner Core. and asthenospher and lithosphere
http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/files/2011/09/Layers-of-Earth.jpeg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structure_of_the_Earth
The layers of the Earth are made up of different materials. Here's an explanation of each layer and what it's composed of:
1. Crust: The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth and is made up of two types: the continental crust and the oceanic crust. The continental crust is primarily composed of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, while the oceanic crust is mainly made of basaltic rocks.
2. Mantle: The mantle is located beneath the crust and is the thickest layer. It consists of solid rock that is predominantly silicate minerals rich in iron and magnesium. The upper part of the mantle is rigid, while the lower part is more plastic-like and flows over long periods of time.
3. Outer Core: The outer core is a liquid layer, composed mainly of molten iron and nickel. It surrounds the inner core and is responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field through the movement of liquid metal.
4. Inner Core: The inner core lies at the center of the Earth, and it is a solid sphere composed mainly of iron and nickel. Due to extreme pressure, despite high temperatures, the iron remains in a solid state.
Additionally, there are two other layers you mentioned:
5. Asthenosphere: The asthenosphere is a part of the upper mantle, just below the lithosphere. It consists of partially molten rock material that is more ductile than the surrounding mantle. Its semi-fluid nature allows the tectonic plates to move.
6. Lithosphere: The lithosphere is the rigid outer part of the Earth and includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It consists of solid rocks and is broken into several large and small tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below.
Understanding the Earth's layers can be achieved by studying seismic waves, which are generated by earthquakes and travel through the Earth. By analyzing the behavior of these waves, scientists have been able to learn more about the composition and structure of the different layers.