Earth's Interior Answers

The lithosphere is the cool, rigid upper layer that forms the tectonic plates. Beneath it, the asthenosphere is hotter and weaker; although it is mostly solid, it can slowly flow and allows the lithospheric plates to move. Both layers are composed mainly of silicate rock.

From the surface inward, Earth consists of the continental/oceanic crust, lithosphere, asthenosphere, mantle, outer core, and inner core. The outer core is liquid, while the inner core is solid.

Earth’s magnetic field is generated by convection and movement of molten, electrically conducting iron and nickel in the liquid outer core. Earth’s rotation helps organize these currents, producing the geodynamo and the planet’s magnetic field.

From the surface toward the center, Earth consists of continental or oceanic crust, the rigid lithosphere, the asthenosphere, the mantle, the liquid outer core, and the solid inner core.

From the outside inward, Earth is made up of the continental or oceanic crust, lithosphere, asthenosphere, mantle, outer core, and inner core. The outer core is liquid, while the inner core is solid.