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The uppermost part of the mantle exists in a solid state primarily due to the high pressures and temperatures within the Earth. Despite being hot enough to melt rock, the immense pressure prevents the material from transitioning into a liquid state. Additionally, the composition of the mantle, which is rich in silicate minerals, contributes to its solid nature under these conditions. This solid layer plays a crucial role in tectonic processes and the movement of the Earth's lithosphere.

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2d ago

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What is the state of matter of rock within the stiffer mantle?

solid


What is the consistency of the lower mantle?

The lower mantle is solid, with a viscosity that is higher than the upper mantle. It is composed mainly of silicate minerals, such as perovskite and bridgmanite, which contribute to its solid state at high pressures and temperatures.


What state is the rock in the mantle?

In the mantle, rocks are in a semi-solid state known as magma. The mantle is made up of solid rock that can deform and flow slowly over long periods of time due to the extreme heat and pressure found in this layer of the Earth.


What is the state of matter in the upper mantle?

solid


What is the difference between the crust and the mantle?

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.

Related Questions

Weather is the current state of the lithosphere true or false?

False. Weather is the current state of the atmosphere at a specific place and time, not the lithosphere. The lithosphere refers to the solid outer layer of the Earth that includes the crust and uppermost part of the mantle.


What state of the mantle of the earth?

solid


What is upper mantle state of matter?

Solid state.


What is the state matter of the upper mantle?

Solid state.


Is the earths mantle a solid or liquid?

Well, it's made up of compressed rock. Another person asked this question and this is the answer: "The Earth's mantle, other than the uppermost hard, rocky layer, is composed of rock in a pliable solid state." Hope this helps and answers your question.


What is the state of mater for the earth's mantle?

solid


What is the state of matter of the asthenosphere?

Solid


What is the outer part of the Earth's layers that is composed of solid rock?

The crust is the outermost rocky layer, based on division by chemistry. The lithosphere is the outer rocky shell of the Earth, based on the physical state of the material (brittle). The lithosphere is a combination of the crust, and the brittle uppermost mantle.


What state of matter is the lower mantle?

The lower mantle is in a solid state of matter. It is composed mainly of silicate minerals, which can withstand high pressure and temperature, maintaining a solid form despite the intense conditions present at that depth within the Earth.


What is the state matter of earth mantle?

solid


What is the state of the lower mantle?

The lower mantle is solid and composed of silicate minerals like magnesium and iron oxides. It is located beneath the upper mantle and extends from 660 to 2,900 kilometers below the Earth's surface. The lower mantle experiences high pressure and temperature conditions, contributing to its solid state.


What is the state of matter of rock within the stiffer mantle?

solid