INI

Earth's Structure - INI

Earth's structure consists of four main layers from the surface to the center: crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. These layers were discovered through differences in seismic wave propagation characteristics, each having distinct compositions, states, and physical properties. The crust is the thinnest layer where life exists, the mantle comprises about 80% of Earth's volume as a rock layer, the outer core is the source of geomagnetism composed of liquid iron-nickel, and the inner core is a metallic sphere that remains solid under extreme pressure.

Earth science geology seismology crust mantle core plate tectonics

[item.crust]
code=1
slug=crust
name=Crust
description=The thin outermost solid layer of Earth.
composition=Granite (continental), basalt (oceanic), silica, aluminum, oxides
density_unit=g/cm³
density_value=2.2-2.9
depth_bottom=5-60 km
depth_surface=0 km
state=Solid
temperature_unit=°C
temperature_value=0-1000
thickness_unit=km
thickness_value=5-60

[item.mantle]
code=2
slug=mantle
name=Mantle
description=The thick rocky layer between the crust and core, comprising about 80% of Earth's volume.
composition=Peridotite, pyroxene, olivine, magnesium, iron, silicate minerals
density_unit=g/cm³
density_value=3.4-5.6
depth_bottom=~2,900 km
depth_surface=5-60 km
state=Solid (viscous over long timescales)
temperature_unit=°C
temperature_value=1,000-3,000
thickness_unit=km
thickness_value=~2,800

[item.outer-core]
code=3
slug=outer-core
name=Outer Core
description=A layer of liquid iron and nickel that generates Earth's magnetic field.
composition=Iron, nickel, small amounts of light elements (oxygen, sulfur, silicon, etc.)
density_unit=g/cm³
density_value=9.9-12.2
depth_bottom=~5,100 km
depth_surface=~2,900 km
state=Liquid
temperature_unit=°C
temperature_value=4,000-5,000
thickness_unit=km
thickness_value=~2,200

[item.inner-core]
code=4
slug=inner-core
name=Inner Core
description=The solid iron-nickel center of Earth.
composition=Iron, nickel, small amounts of precious metals
density_unit=g/cm³
density_value=12.8-13.1
depth_bottom=~6,400 km
depth_surface=~5,100 km
state=Solid
temperature_unit=°C
temperature_value=~6,000
thickness_unit=km (radius)
thickness_value=~1,200