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The crust is referred to as the outer skin of the planet, where all life as we know it exists. There are two types of crust--continental, which is granitic in composition, and oceanic, which is basaltic in composition. The depth of the crust varies from about 0-40 miles, and is composed mainly of silicate rich rock.

The mantle extends from the boundary with the crust, to a depth of around 1800 miles, making it Earth's most massive layer. The uppermost layer is a brittle solid and is attached to the crust. Directly underneath the crust and uppermost mantle lies the asthenosphere, where hot solid rock is in a plastic-like state, able to move long distances on geologic time scales. This plasticity decreases with depth as the lithostatic pressure increases toward the boundary with the core. Chemically, the mantle differs from the crust in that the rock is ultramafic (very high in iron and magnesium) compared to the more silica rich rock of the crust. Temperature also increases with depth (geothermal gradient), and therefore temperatures in the mantle are significantly higher than in the crust.

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What is the balance between crust and the mantle below it?

The Earth's crust and mantle are distinct layers, with the crust being the thin, outermost layer and the mantle lying below it. The crust averages about 5 to 70 kilometers in thickness, while the mantle extends to approximately 2,900 kilometers deep. The crust is primarily composed of lighter silicate rocks, whereas the mantle consists of denser silicate minerals. This difference in composition and thickness leads to a balance where the crust floats on the more fluid-like mantle, a concept known as isostasy.


What is The distinction between the crust and the mantle is primarily on the basis of a difference in?

The distinction between the crust and the mantle is primarily based on differences in composition and physical properties. The crust is composed mainly of lighter, silicate minerals, while the mantle is made up of denser, magnesium and iron-rich silicates. Additionally, the crust is relatively rigid and thin, whereas the mantle is more viscous and extends to a much greater depth beneath the Earth's surface.


Continental crust and the difference between oceanic crust?

Oceanic crust is mostly basaltic, which is denser, while continental crust is made from mostly basaltic and sedimentary rocks, which are less dense. This difference in density is why the oceanic crust sinks lower (thus the oceans) and the continental crust rides higher (thus the continents) on the mantle.


What is middle layer of earth called?

Between the thin rocky crust and inner core, in order from upper to lower, are the upper mantle, mantle, and outer core.


What is the layer between Earth's core and the crust?

The mantle.

Related Questions

The distinction between the crust and mantle is primarily on the basis of a difference in?

composition — the crust is primarily composed of lighter, silicate minerals like granite and basalt, while the mantle is composed of denser minerals like peridotite. This compositional difference contributes to variations in density, temperature, and behaviour between the crust and mantle layers of the Earth.


The distance between the crust and the mantle?

15 kilo meters is the distance between the crust and the mantle


What is the meaning of the upper mantle?

a mantle is something between the crust


Topographic highs in the crust have deep what that extend into the mantle and provide buoyant support?

Topographic highs in the crust have deep roots that extend into the mantle and provide buoyant support through isostasy. These roots are a result of the difference in density between the crust and underlying mantle, allowing for uplifted regions to be supported by the denser mantle material beneath.


What is the moho barrier for?

It is between the Crust and the upper mantle


What is the balance between crust and the mantle below it?

The Earth's crust and mantle are distinct layers, with the crust being the thin, outermost layer and the mantle lying below it. The crust averages about 5 to 70 kilometers in thickness, while the mantle extends to approximately 2,900 kilometers deep. The crust is primarily composed of lighter silicate rocks, whereas the mantle consists of denser silicate minerals. This difference in composition and thickness leads to a balance where the crust floats on the more fluid-like mantle, a concept known as isostasy.


What is The distinction between the crust and the mantle is primarily on the basis of a difference in?

The distinction between the crust and the mantle is primarily based on differences in composition and physical properties. The crust is composed mainly of lighter, silicate minerals, while the mantle is made up of denser, magnesium and iron-rich silicates. Additionally, the crust is relatively rigid and thin, whereas the mantle is more viscous and extends to a much greater depth beneath the Earth's surface.


What is the difference between Mohorovicic discontinuity and Gutenberg discontinuity?

Mohorovicic discontinuity is located between the upper mantle and the crust, while the Gutenberg discontinuityis located between the lower mantle and the outer core.


Is the boundary between the crust and upper mantle?

The boundary between the crust and upper mantle is known as the Mohorovičić discontinuity or Moho. It represents the change in seismic wave velocity and composition between the rigid outer layer (crust) and the more ductile layer beneath (mantle).


What is between the mantle and the soil layer?

the crust


What layer is between the crust and the core?

The mantle.


What is between the crust and the core of the earth?

The mantle.