Notes For My Alien Friend
HELLLPPP! My teacher is an alien!
Earth's Crust!
The earth's crust reaches temperatures of 392 *F to 752 *F. It is the part of the earth that you are standing on and is 35 km thick. The earth's crust is solid.
Earth's Mantle!
The earth's mantle reaches temperatures of 932 *F to 1,652 *F. It is the super hot layer under the crust and is 2897 km deep. Although it is really hot it is still solid.
Earth's Inner and Outer Core!
The earth's core is a two part layer. It consists of an outer core (which is liquid) and an inner core (which is solid). Both the inner and outer layers are about 10,800 *F. The depth of the inner core is 1,220 km and the depth of the outer core is 3,400 km.
How geologists learn about the earth!
Scientists have worked to find ways to learn about earth's interior. They have found two that scientists use. One way is to get rock samples and study them. The other way to study the earth is by a thing called seismic waves. Seismic waves are the vibrations that travel through earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake.
Vocabulary!
Basalt- a dark, fine-grained rock
Granite- a rock that is usually a light color and has coarse grains
Lithosphere- a rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and crust
Asthenosphere- the soft layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats