Earth and Life Science SHS Unit 5 Compositional Layers of Earth

Unit 5- COMPOSITIONAL LAYERS OF EARTH
Overview of the Layers of

Earth
determine the layers of
Objectives 1 Earth based on chemical
At the end composition; and
of the
lesson, you describe the layers of
should be 2 Earth based on physical
able to: properties.
Learn about It!
Earth
• Earth is a dynamic planet
composed of interacting
subsystems, namely:
atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere, and the biosphere.
• The internal structure of Earth
can be classified into
compositional layers and
mechanical layers.
Earth is a dynamic planet
Learn about It!
Compositional Layers of Earth

• The compositional layers
include the crust, mantle,
and core.
• These layers are
differentiated in terms of
the material it is made of.

Learn about It!

• The crust is the
outermost layer of Earth.
Its thickness range from
5 to 80 km and mainly
composed of granites
and basalts.

Learn about It!

• The mantle which is about
84% of Earth’s volume extends
up to 2 900 km thick.
• It is composed of ultramafic
silicates materials that are
composed of silicon and
oxygen atoms.

Learn about It!

• The core is the innermost
layer of Earth which is around
3 480 km thick.
• Its composition is thought to
be mainly 85% iron, 5%
nickel, and other trace
amounts of oxygen and
sulfur.

Learn about It!
Mechanical Layers of Earth
• The lithosphere is the rigid

outermost layer of Earth that
is composed of crust and the
uppermost layer of the
mantle.
• It extends from 70 to 150 km
in depth.

Learn about It!
• Underneath the lithosphere is

the asthenosphere which is
the plastic layer of the mantle.
• It lies between 70 to 660 km
beneath Earth’s surface.
• Deformation occurs where
materials ‘flow’ or change
shape.

Learn about It!
• The mesosphere is the

semi-solid layer below the
asthenosphere.
• It is a region with high
temperature and pressure.
• The mesosphere extends up to 2
900 km in terms of thickness.

Learn about It!
• The outer core is a liquid

innermost layer of Earth.
• The temperature in this layer is
very high causing iron and
nickel to melt. It is about 2300
km thick.

Learn about It!
• The inner core is the innermost

solid layer.
• The pressure in this region is
enough for the material to stay
solid. Its thickness is around 1
200 km.

Key Points
The internal structure of Earth can be classified into

1 compositional layers and mechanical layers.
2 The compositional layers of Earth are crust, mantle,

and core.
The mechanical layers of Earth are lithosphere,

3 asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, and inner core.
Check Your Understanding
Write true if the statement is correct.

Otherwise, write false.
1. The crust is mainly composed of granite and basalt which
are classified as sedimentary rocks.
2. Mantle comprises almost 8/10 of Earth’s volume.
3. The rocks found in the continental crust is lighter in color
than those in the oceanic crust.
4. Silicate materials are mostly found at the layer beneath the
outermost layer of Earth.
5. Lithosphere is the same as the crust.
Challenge Yourself
What are the differences

between the layers of Earth
regarding its main
composition, depth, and
parts? Make a summary
table to show your answer.
Bibliography
Carlson, Diane H. and Charles C. Plummer. 2009. Physical Geology: Earth Revealed, 8th Edition. New
York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Hefferan, Kevin and John O’Brien. 2010. Earth Materials. United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
King, Hobart. “Transform Plate Boundary.” Geology.com. Accessed May 11, 2017. http://
geology.com/nsta/transform-plate-boundaries.shtml
Levin, Harold L. 2013. The Earth Through Time. United States of America: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Marshak, Stephen. 2009. Essentials of Geology 3rd Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Stephen J. Reynolds, et al. 2013. Exploring Geology, 3rd Edition. United States: McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc.
Bibliography
Tarbuck, Edward J. and Frederick J. Lutgens. 2015. Earth Science. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
United States Geological Survey. 1999. “J. Tuzo Wilson: Discovering transforms and hotspots” Accessed
May 11, 2017. https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/Wilson.html
United States Geological Survey. 2014. “Understanding Plate Motions” Accessed May 1, 2017.
https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/understanding.html
Lesson 5.2
The Crust
determine the layers of
Objectives 1 Earth based on chemical
At the end composition; and
of the
lesson, you describe the layers of
should be 2 Earth based on physical
able to: properties.
Learn about It!
The Crust
• The crust is the outermost
layer of Earth and is the
only layer where organisms
are found.
• This rigid layer is in the
constant process of
destruction and renewal.
Compositional Layers of the Earth

Learn about It!
Tectonic Plates
• Tectonic plates are
slabs of the brittle
lithosphere, which
can able to move
due to the plasticity
of the underlying
asthenosphere.
Major Plates of the Earth

Learn about It!
Tectonic Plates
• Most of the seismic
activities including
earthquakes
happen in between
plates.
Major Plates of the Earth

Learn about It!
Continental Crust
• The continental crust
makes up the land
surface of Earth which is
about 32 km thick.
• The composition is more
variable than oceanic
crust but can be
generalized as mostly
granites.
Types of Crust
Learn about It!
Structure on the Continental Crust

• Mountain belts
are uplifted
regions of
deformed rocks.
Mountain belts and stable interior

Learn about It!
Structure on the Continental Crust

• The stable interiors
are older than
mountain belts.
Within these areas
are expansive and
flat regions which
are composed of
deformed crystalline
rocks called shields.
Mountain belts and stable interior
Learn about It!
Oceanic Crust
• The oceanic crust is a
thin layer averaging
from 5 to 7 km thick.
• It is consists of mafic
rocks, which are made
up of silicates,
magnesium and iron.
Types of Crust
Learn about It!
Structure on the Oceanic Crust

• Continental margins are the areas which separate
continental and oceanic crust. It include: continental shelf;
continental slope; and continental rise.
Parts of the Continental Margin

Key Points
The crust is the outermost rocky layer of Earth which is

1 mainly composed of granitic and basaltic igneous rocks.
The types of crust includes continental and the oceanic

2 crust.
Lithosphere makes up the tectonic plates which is

3 composed of the crust and the uppermost mantle.
Write the word true if the statement is correct,

otherwise, write the word false.
1. Continental crust is composed of dark-colored igneous
rocks known as granite.
2. Lithosphere is composed of the crust and the lower mantle.
3. Earthquakes occur at the boundaries of the lithosphere.
4. The collision of Indonesian plate and Eurasian plate results
to the formation of Himalayas.
5. The age of mountain belts are younger than the stable
interiors.
Challenge Yourself
What are the differences

between continental
crust and oceanic crust
in terms of parameters,
composition, density,
average thickness, age of
oldest known crust, and
features or parts? Make
a summary table.
Bibliography
Inc.
Bibliography
Lesson 5.3
The Mantle
Objectives 1 describe characteristics
and layers of mantle; and
At the end
of the explain how seismic waves
lesson, you 2 are used to differentiate
should be layers of the mantle.
able to:
Learn about It!
The Mantle
• The mantle makes up about 84% of Earth’s total volume.
• It is located in between the crust and the core which is

about 2 900 km deep.
• The boundary between the crust and the mantle is known

as Mohorovičić discontinuity.
Learn about It!
Mantle Composition
• This layer is rich in magnesium oxide that distinguishes it
from the crust.
• The bulk composition of the upper mantle is believed to be

peridotite igneous rocks.
• The lower mantle is dominated by the mineral,

bridgmanite.
Learn about It!
Mantle’s Layers
• The lithosphere is comprised of
the crust and the uppermost part of
the mantle.
• The asthenosphere lies below the

lithosphere. Here, rocks have
plasticity and have the ability to
flow.
Layers of the Mantle

Learn about It!
Mantle’s Layers
• The mesosphere is also called the
lower mantle. This layer is
composed of semi-solid
ultrahigh-pressure silicates.
Layers of the Mantle

Learn about It!
Seismic Waves
• Mantle is subdivided into different layers as revealed by
seismic wave velocity studies.
• Body waves are seismic waves that can travel through

Earth’s interior and can be categorized into two.
Learn about It!
Types of Seismic Waves

• The primary or p- waves can travel both in solids and liquids.
• The secondary or s-waves is limited to solids media only.
Seismic wave velocities of p-waves and s-waves in Earth’s interior.

Learn about It!
Mantle Convection
• Mantle convection refers to the transfer of heat from the
mantle to the crust through the movement of mantle
materials.
Mantle Convection
Learn about It!
Mantle Convection
• The temperature from the crust to
the lower part of the mantle is
generally increasing.
• This temperature gradient increases

slowly through the mantle and forms
core-mantle boundary known as
Gutenberg discontinuity.
Mantle Geothermal Gradient Curve

Learn about It!
Subduction of the Plate

• Earth has a heat engine due to mantle convection. Heat is
released to the ridges and collected at the subduction zone.
• This creates forces called ridge push and slab-pull.
The mechanism of ridge push and slab pull.

Key Points
Mantle makes up about 84% percent of Earth’s volume

1 and is mainly composed of silicates.
Mantle convection is the process of sinking cold

2 material and rising hot material due to the difference in
density.
Seismic waves are used to differentiate the layers of the

3 mantle through the wave refraction.
Identify the term being described in each item.

1. It is a process which involves repeated cycles of ice freezing and
thawing.
2. It is the constant expansion and contraction of rocks which eventually
causes rocks to fracture and break down into smaller pieces.
3. It refers to the process wherein a solid rock or mineral dissolves in
water.
4. It is the combination of oxygen with a mineral to form a completely
different mineral.
5. It is the process in which thick layers of sediments overlying deeply
buried rocks are removed through erosion or uplift.
Challenge Yourself
An experiment was conducted to observe frost wedging. A

smooth, compact rock was exposed to sufficient moisture, and
varying temperature above or below the freezing point. Will
the experiment be successful in producing frost wedging?
Bibliography
Inc.
Bibliography
Lesson 5.4
The Core
Objectives discuss the different layers
1 of the core; and
At the end
of the
differentiate the
lesson, you 2 properties of each layer.
should be
able to:
Learn about It!
The Core
• The core is the innermost
layer of Earth.
• It is considered as Earth’s
center, with a thickness of
around 3 500 km.
Earth’s Core
Learn about It!
Core Composition
• In general, the core is
composed mainly of iron,
nickel, and lighter elements:
sulfur, oxygen, carbon and
hydrogen.
• Turbulent flow of iron in the
outer core is believed to be
responsible for the generation
of Earth’s magnetic field.
Earth’s Core
Learn about It!
Core Composition
• Turbulent flow of iron in
the outer core is believed
to be responsible for the
generation of Earth’s
magnetic field.
Earth’s Magnetic Field

Learn about It!
Layers of Earth’s Core

• The outer core is a liquid
layer, 2260 km thick. The
temperature in this region
is very high allowing the
melting of materials.
Earth’s Core
Learn about It!
Layers of Earth’s Core

• The inner core is the
innermost layer of Earth. It
is also composed of iron
and nickel and light
elements. Unlike outer
core, this layer is in solid
phase.
Earth’s Core
Learn about It!
Movement in the Core

• The inner core rotates in
opposite the direction of the
flow of the outer core, creating
a geodynamo effect that
generates Earth’s magnetic
field.
Rotation in the Earth’s Core

Learn about It!

• This magnetic field is very
important in protecting Earth
from the charged particles
emitted by the solar winds.
Rotation in the Earth’s Core

Learn about It!

• Without Earth’s magnetic
field, the solar wind will
strip off the ozone layer
from Earth’s atmosphere.

Learn about It!

• The ozone layer prevents
and protects Earth’s
inhabitants from the
harmful ultraviolet rays.

Key Points
The core is the innermost layer of Earth which is mainly

1 composed of iron and nickel.
2 Outer core is the innermost liquid layer of Earth.
3 Inner core is the innermost solid layer of Earth.

Write true if the statement is correct while write

false if the statement is incorrect.
1. The core is composed of iron, nickel, silicon, and oxygen.
2. Inge Lehmann utilized information from seismograph to
study the internal structure of Earth
3. Inner core rotates in clockwise direction.
4. Primary wave could be able to pass through fluids.
5. The outer core is located 5 200 km from the surface.
Challenge Yourself
The core is thousands of

kilometers away from where we
live. How did scientists know about
the composition of this layer?
Bibliography
Inc.
Bibliography

Earth and Life Science SHS Unit 5 Compositional Layers of Earth

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Unit 5- COMPOSITIONAL LAYERS OF EARTH

Overview of the Layers of

Compositional Layers of Earth

Compositional Layers of Earth

Compositional Layers of Earth

Compositional Layers of Earth

Compositional Layers of Earth

Compositional Layers of Earth

Compositional Layers of Earth

Compositional Layers of Earth

Mechanical Layers of Earth

• The lithosphere is the rigid

Mechanical Layers of Earth

Mechanical Layers of Earth

• Underneath the lithosphere is

Mechanical Layers of Earth

Mechanical Layers of Earth

• The mesosphere is the

Mechanical Layers of Earth

Mechanical Layers of Earth

• The outer core is a liquid

Mechanical Layers of Earth

Mechanical Layers of Earth

• The inner core is the innermost

Mechanical Layers of Earth

The internal structure of Earth can be classiﬁed into

2 The compositional layers of Earth are crust, mantle,

The mechanical layers of Earth are lithosphere,

Write true if the statement is correct.

What are the diﬀerences

Compositional Layers of the Earth

Major Plates of the Earth

Major Plates of the Earth

Structure on the Continental Crust

Mountain belts and stable interior

Structure on the Continental Crust

Structure on the Oceanic Crust

Parts of the Continental Margin

The crust is the outermost rocky layer of Earth which is

The types of crust includes continental and the oceanic

Lithosphere makes up the tectonic plates which is

Write the word true if the statement is correct,

What are the diﬀerences

• It is located in between the crust and the core which is

• The boundary between the crust and the mantle is known

• The bulk composition of the upper mantle is believed to be

• The lower mantle is dominated by the mineral,

• The asthenosphere lies below the

Layers of the Mantle

Layers of the Mantle

• Body waves are seismic waves that can travel through

Types of Seismic Waves

Seismic wave velocities of p-waves and s-waves in Earth’s interior.

• This temperature gradient increases

Mantle Geothermal Gradient Curve

Subduction of the Plate

The mechanism of ridge push and slab pull.

Mantle makes up about 84% percent of Earth’s volume

Mantle convection is the process of sinking cold

Seismic waves are used to diﬀerentiate the layers of the

Identify the term being described in each item.

An experiment was conducted to observe frost wedging. A