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Structure of the Earth

Earth is divided into 3 MAIN layers:

EARTH’s STRUCTURE &

EARTH’s CORE
PLATE TECTONICS

Structure of the Earth.....

.....((2) Structure of the Earth.....
.....((3)
1. The Core 2.The Mantle

densest, composed of solid Iron (Fe) metal.

Since Fe is so heavy & dense, it sank &
Layer above Core
became rocky centre of planet during
is nearly 2900 km
Earth’s formation.
thick

has an outer molten layer and an inner
solid layer

is 3400 km thick

Structure of the Earth.....

.....((4) Structure of the Earth.....
.....((5)

3.The Crust Earth’s layers are similar to an egg…..

The lightest of three
Shell → CRUST

layers
Egg white → MANTLE

extends 5-8 km
Yolk → CORE
beneath oceans, & 20-
70 km beneath
continents.

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Plate tectonics Plate tectonics.....

.....((2)

PANGEA

Plate tectonics.....
.....((3) Plate tectonics.....
.....((4)

Earth’s crust is made up of several large

plates that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

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Tectonic Plate Boundaries 1. Divergent (Extensional) Boundaries

There are 3 major types of
Resulted in formation of such features as Rift
plate boundaries:
1.Divergent – plates move Valleys, where:
away from each other
magma typically intrudes into the fractures
(tension) & flows onto valley floor….
2.Convergent – plates move
towards each other
(compression)
3.Transform – plates grind
horizontally against one
another (strike-slip motion)

1. Divergent (Extensional) Boundaries.....(2) 1. Divergent (Extensional) Boundaries.....(3)

An example of a rift

valley is the East

African Rift Valley

2.Convergent (Compressional) Boundaries.....(2) 2.Convergent (Compressional) Boundaries.....(3)

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2.Convergent (Compressional) Boundaries.....(3) 3. Transform Boundaries

where/when plates slide laterally past each
other; roughly parallel to the direction of
plate movement.

3. Transform Boundaries.....(2) The Ring of Fire

The majority of transform faults connect
two oceanic ridge segments, and

are marked by fracture zones

End of Lecture