TOML

Earth's Structure - TOML

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

[[items]]
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"

[[items]]
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"

[[items]]
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"

[[items]]
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"