0
The Mantle The layer above the core is the mantle. It begins about 6 miles(10 km) below the oceanic crust and about 19 miles (30 km) below the continental crust (see The Crust). The function of the mantle is to separate the inner mantle and the outer mantle. It is about 1,800 miles(2,900 km) thick and makes up nearly 80 percent of the Earth's total volume. Science deals with the structure of the mantle in two different ways. One way is based on its chemical construction (the material), the other on the way layers stream or move.
What does the mantle consist of? Based on the chemical construction: Inner Mantle: the inner mantle can be found between 190 miles (300 km) an 1,800 miles (2,890 km) below the earth's surface. The average temperature is 5400 ºF (3000ºC), nevertheless the rock is solid because of the high pressures. The inner mantle for the biggest part probably consists of sulphides and oxides of silicon and magnesium. The density is between 4.3g/cm³ and 5.4g/cm³. Outer Mantle: The outer mantle is a lot thinner than the inner mantle. It can be found between 7 miles (10 km) and 190 miles (300 km) below the surface of the earth. You can divide the outer mantle into two different layers. The bottom layer is tough liquid rock and probably consists of silicates of iron and magnesium. The temperature in this part is between 2520 ºF (1400ºC) and 5400 º F (3000ºC) and the density is between 3.4g/cm³ and 4.3g/cm³. The upper layer of the outer mantle consists of the same material but is stiffer because of its lower temperature.
Based on the way layers stream or move: From this perspective, you look at the outer mantle and the crust together. Here we make a difference in asthenosphere and lithosphere.
Asthenosphere: The tough liquid part of the outer mantle.
Lithosphere: The stiffer part of the outer mantle and the crust. The lithosphere 'floats' on the asthenosphere, like ice on water.
What Influence does the Mantle Have? Because the earth is very hot inside, a current of heat flows from the core to the crust. This is called convection current and it also takes place in the mantle. This current cools down as it comes closer to the surface of the earth. As a result, the rising of the current decreases and goes into horizontal direction along the bottom of the crust. When the current cools down more, the convection current descends again and goes to the inner earth. There the temperature increases and the current rises again. This goes on and on. When the current comes at a weaker part of the crust, for example at a volcano, magma comes above the earth's surface. The convection current along the bottom of the crust causes the moving of the tectonic plates. This is called plate tectonics. The movement of these plates goes very slowly. The bumping of two tectonic plates causes an earthquake.
From: http://mediatheek.thinkquest.nl/~ll125/en/mantle.htm
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How do you use earths mantle in a sentence?
Just like that. Or: One layer of the Earth's crust is the Earth's mantle.
What is inside earth that sounds like a cover?
mantle
What part of the earth's mantle is taffy-like?
The asthenosphere
What layer of the earth have humans drilled into the earth?
Humans have never drilled past the crust into the mantle. We have, however, seen the mantle through "hot spots" like volcanoes where the mantle is closer to the surface.
Which is thicker the earth's mantle or the outer core?
earth's mantle
How do you use earths mantle in a sentence?
Just like that. Or: One layer of the Earth's crust is the Earth's mantle.
What is earth plastic like layer?
mantle
How is the earths Mantle like peanut butter sandwich?
The earth's mantle is like a PP&J because of the core is colder. It is like the core is the peanut butter and the earth is jelly.
What is the name of the rock that makes up Mars' mantle?
The mantle of Mars is probably made of peridotite, like Earth's mantle.
What is inside earth that sounds like a cover?
mantle
What part of the earth's mantle is taffy-like?
The asthenosphere
What is Earth's plastic like layer called?
mantle
What is the part of earth called that is hot like asphalt?
the mantle is the part of earth that is hot like asphalt
What is the area of the earth That flows Like a thick liquid?
The mantle
What layer of the earth have humans drilled into the earth?
Humans have never drilled past the crust into the mantle. We have, however, seen the mantle through "hot spots" like volcanoes where the mantle is closer to the surface.
How is the earth' mantle like a peanut butter sandwich?
The earth's mantle is like a PP&J because of the core is colder. It is like the core is the peanut butter and the earth is jelly.
What might the earth look like without convection currents in the mantle?
The earth would look like it did when it formed
