THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE EARTH
The internal or inner structure of the earth is made up of three concentric layers which are
- Crust ( lithosphere)
- Mantle (Mesophere)
- Core ( Barysphere)
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THE CRUST OR LITHOSPHERE
CHARACTERISTICS
The crust is sub-divided into upper and lower parts which are:-
The upper part of the earth crust consist of granite rocks and forms the continent.
The main minerals here are silica and aluminium collectively referred to as sial.
The upper earth crust has average density of 27The lower part of the earth crust consists of basait rocks and aso form the ocean floor.
The sial, therefore is lighter than the sima.
The sial and sima 48km below the surface of the continent
The lithosphere lies above the mantle
The lower crust has a density of 3.0
THE MANTLE OR MESOSPHERE
CHARACTERISTICS
- The mantle is found just beneath the crust
It is about 2897km thick
It is very dense
Its main minerals is olivine
Its is plastic and in semi liquid form
Has average density of about 3.3
It is a middle layer which surround the one
THE CORE OR BARYSHPERE
CHARACTERISTICS
- The core is the innermost part of the earth.
It is about 3476km in radius or width all around
It contains two minerals, iron and nickel
The temperature of the core is estimated to be as high as 2000c
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