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The Earth's mantle is composed of rocks that have higher concentrations of mafic minerals (containing iron and magnesium) and lower in concentrations of the felsic minerals (aluminum and silica) than the rocks of Earth's crust.
The concentrations of the above elements therefore mean that the Earth's mantle is composed of a series of minerals that are predominately calcium / iron / magnesium aluminum silicates.
Such as:
- Olivine - (Mg,Fe)2SiO4
- Pyroxene - X(Si,Al)2O6, where X represents either calcium, sodium, iron or magnesium
- Spinel - MgAl2O4
- Garnet - X3Y2(SiO4)3 where X and Y can be a mixture of aluminum, iron, calcium, manganese or magnesium.
At depths shallower than approximately 460 km, these minerals form the rocks types Peridotite, Dunite (Olivine-rich Peridotite), and Eclogite.
At depths greater than 410 km Olivine becomes unstable and is replaced by a number of different mineral forms known as poly-morphs which are stable at higher pressures. These include Wadsleyite which forms at depths between 410 and 520 km and Ringwoodite which forms between 520 and 600 km deep.
These depths are based on a number of seismic discontinuities at the depths of 410 km (thought to mark the transition from Olivine to Wadsleyite) and at 520 km (thought to mark the transition from Wadsleyite to Ringwoodite) respectively.
At depths greater than around 650 km these upper mantle minerals start to become unstable due to the increased pressure and the minerals below this take the structure of the minerals Perovskite and Ferropericlase although with differing chemical compositions and it is this seismic discontinuity at 650 km depth that marks the transition to the lower mantle. The material at these depths is often referred to as the "post-perovskite" phase which is the high-pressure form of magnesium silicate (MgSiO3).
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Does The composition of the moon most closely resembles the earths mantle?
Yes, the composition of the moon's mantle is similar to that of Earth's mantle in terms of silicate minerals and elements like magnesium and iron. This similarity suggests that the moon's mantle may have been formed from materials that were also present in the Earth's mantle.
What sphere extends from earths core to earths crust?
The sphere that extends from Earth's core to Earth's crust is known as the mantle. It is a layer of solid rock that lies between the core and the crust, making up the majority of Earth's volume. The mantle is divided into the upper mantle and the lower mantle based on depth and composition.
What is the composition and approximate thickness of the mantle?
Earths mantle is less dense and very hot. The mantle is 2885km thick.
Which element is not found in large quantities in Earths mantle?
Gold is not found in large quantities in Earth's mantle. While it is present in the Earth's crust and in small amounts in the mantle, it is not one of the major elements that make up the mantle's composition.
What is the earths mantles most common elements?
The Earth's mantle is primarily made up of silicate minerals containing elements such as oxygen, silicon, magnesium, and iron. These elements make up the majority of the mantle's composition.
Where is earths greatest bulk composition?
mantle
What is earths upper mantle composition?
hard rock
What is the composition earths mantle?
The mantle is 82% of Earth's volume. It is composed of ultramafic rock called peridotite, which is hot enough to flow.
Does The composition of the moon most closely resembles the earths mantle?
Yes, the composition of the moon's mantle is similar to that of Earth's mantle in terms of silicate minerals and elements like magnesium and iron. This similarity suggests that the moon's mantle may have been formed from materials that were also present in the Earth's mantle.
What is the composition of the mantl?
The earths mantle is less dense and it's very hot.
What sphere extends from earths core to earths crust?
The sphere that extends from Earth's core to Earth's crust is known as the mantle. It is a layer of solid rock that lies between the core and the crust, making up the majority of Earth's volume. The mantle is divided into the upper mantle and the lower mantle based on depth and composition.
How many layers in earths mantle?
The Earth's mantle has two main layers: the upper mantle and the lower mantle. These layers are distinguished by differences in their composition, temperature, and behavior. The upper mantle extends from the crust to a depth of about 410 miles (660 kilometers), while the lower mantle extends from about 410 miles (660 kilometers) to approximately 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) below the Earth's surface.
What is the composition and approximate thickness of the mantle?
Earths mantle is less dense and very hot. The mantle is 2885km thick.
Which element is not found in large quantities in Earths mantle?
Gold is not found in large quantities in Earth's mantle. While it is present in the Earth's crust and in small amounts in the mantle, it is not one of the major elements that make up the mantle's composition.
What is under the earths surface and in the earths crust?
mantle
Where would you be most likely to find granite in earths mantle or earths continents?
you will find it in earths mantle because it is a kind of an igneous rock
What is the earths mantles most common elements?
The Earth's mantle is primarily made up of silicate minerals containing elements such as oxygen, silicon, magnesium, and iron. These elements make up the majority of the mantle's composition.
