Unit 3

Dynamic Earth
 The Earth is divided into 4 layers
 1. Crust (Lithosphere)
 2. Mantle (Magma)

 3. Outer Core
 4. Inner Core
 Layers of the Earth
(List the 4 layers of the earth, choose a color for each layer
and color diagram the appropriate color)
 Why does the Earth have
layers?
 The layers formed because of their
different densities.
 The less dense material is found in

the crust.
 The more dense compounds sank to

the center of Earth.

 Crust
 Outermost layer
 Thinnest layer (5-100 km thick)
 Two types: Continental and Oceanic
 Click here to see the 2 types of crust
Oceanic and Continental Crust
 Mantle
 Just beneath crust
 Contains most of Earth’s mass (67%)
 Thickest layer (2900 km thick)
 Hot, gooey layer made of magma (liquid
rock – molten rock)
 Outer Core
 Hot liquid Iron
 2,200 km thick
 Inner Core
 Solid Iron/Nickel (metal)
 1250 km thick
 Earth’s Layers
 The crust is also known as the lithosphere.
 The broken sections of the crust are
referred to as plates (tectonic).
 These plates fit together along Earth’s
surface like a puzzle.
 The plates move along the surface very
slowly.
 The upper part of the mantle acts like a
plastic and is called the asthenosphere. It
allows the plates to move.
 Layer Description Composition Physical
(make-up) Properties

Crust Thinnest layer Made of rock • Rock

(Lithosphere) (5-100 km • Solid
thick) • Thinnest
layer
Mantle Thickest Layer Made of molten • Hot molten
just beneath the (liquid) rock – rock
crust MAGMA • 2/3 of Earth’s
(2,900 km thick) More dense Mass
than the crust • MOVE
Outer Core Liquid layer of Hot liquid iron • Liquid
the core
(2,200 km thick)

Inner Core Solid layer of Solid iron and • Solid

the core nickel
(METAL)
(6,380 km
below surface)
 Tectonic Plates
• Plate tectonics is the theory that the
lithosphere is divided up into plates that
move along the asthenosphere. (upper
part of the mantle)
Three types of Plate Boundaries
• 1. Convergent – where two plates are
colliding
• 2. Divergent – where two plates are
separating
• 3. Transform – where two plates slide
against each other
Convergent Boundaries
Divergent Boundary
Transform Boundary
 Wegener’s Hypothesis of
Continental Drift
• Continental Drift – is the hypothesis that
the continents once formed a single
continent called Pangaea. This continent
broke up and the pieces have moved to
their present locations.
 Evidence that helps support
Continental Drift
Similar findings on opposite sides of the
Atlantic include:
• Fossils
• Plants
• Mountain Ranges
• Matching Rock Types
Movement of Tectonic Plates
• What causes the tectonic plates to
move?
Convection Currents
• Convection – the movement of
thermal energy through a fluid.

Hottest magma rises Cooler magma

Forces that move Tectonic
Plates
Type of Force Description
Force
Ridge Push Lava coming out of the mantle
‘pushes’ the plates apart
View Ridge Push

Convection Hot liquid rock rises and cooler

liquid rock sinks causing the
crust to go away from the ridge.

Slab pull Oceanic Crust slides downward

because of the force of Gravity
View Slab Pull
Deformation of the Earth’s Crust
• Deformation – Shape of rock changes
(folds).
• Compression – Stress that occurs when
forces act to squeeze an object.
• Tension – Stress that occurs when forces
act to stretch an object.
 Types of stress that deform rock:
• Folding – the bending of rock layers
• Faulting – the surface along which rocks
break and slide past each other.
• Fault
Line
Google Earth
 EARTHQUAKES
• An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth’s
crust.

• The study of earthquakes is called Seismology

• The instrument used to measure an

earthquakes magnitude (strength) is a
seismometer and seismograph
Seismometers and Seismographs
EARTHQUAKE
DAMAGE
 EARTHQUAKES
• Earthquakes occur along PLATE
BOUNDARIES (edges of the crustal
plates)

• The most active earthquake zone is along

the pacific ocean, also known as THE
RING OF FIRE.
EARTHQUAKES
 Three Types of Plate Boundaries

• Convergent • Divergent • Transform

This motion creates:

Volcanoes
Mountains Seafloor Earthquakes
spreading
Ridges
 Seismic Waves
• When an earthquake occurs it produces
vibrations, also known as seismic waves.

• Seismic waves are the reason we know the

interior of the Earth.
 Seismic Waves

• Speed: FAST Speed: SLOW

 Shadow Zones
• The solid core of the Earth blocks and bends
the vibrations from an earthquake from
reaching the other side of the Earth.

• P-waves can travel through the

interior of the earth
• S-waves can not pass through
the liquid portions of the earth.
 Measuring Earthquakes
• Richter Scale – measures the magnitude
(strength) of the earthquake from 1 to 10.

• Mercalli Scale – measures the amount of

damage done from an earthquake from I-XII.
 Earthquake Safety
Before the shaking:
• 1. Prepare emergency kit
– Water
– First Aid Kit
– Radio / Batteries
– Canned food / Can opener
• 2. Prepare escape route

• 3. Home Safety Plan

– Remove objects from high shelves
 Earthquake Safety
During the shaking:

1. Get under a table

2. Get in a doorway

3. Stay away from objects that may fall on you

 Earthquake Safety
After the shaking:

1. Get away from danger

2. Go to your previously appointed emergency

location

3. Do not go back indoors until advised