What Does the Mantle of Earth Consist Of?

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The layer that surrounds the core (the center of the earth) is called the mantle. The layers above it are the crust and then the atmosphere, which the layer that is habitable by human life. The crust is the dirt just beneath the surface.

Elements in mantle

The mantle consists of many minerals (metals) and basic elements, which include iron, magnesium, aluminum, and silicon

Inner Mantle

The inner mantle begins about 200-2000 miles below the Earth's surface, depending on where you are. The high pressure of the gas and elements in the mantle make most of it a hard solid.

Outer Mantle

The outer mantle is about 7-200 miles below the earth's surface. It consists of solid rock and is between 2500 and 5400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Effects of Mantle

The mantle is what creates volcanoes, earthquakes, and the shifting of the tectonic plates just below the earth's surface. This is what causes continents to slowly shift throughout history.

Layers of Mantle

The Asthenosphere, the hard liquid part of the mantle, and the Lithosphere, a stiff part of the outer mantle and crust, are what causes disturbances in the ground. The Lithosphere floats on top of the Asthenosphere to make the tectonic plates shift.

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