How would you describe the internal structure of the earth?

Question

Claire Anctil · Accepted Answer

The internal structure of the earth is like a steel ball that has been inserted into the middle of a rubber ball that has then been rolled around in the mud which sticks to it.

These are the basic layers: the rubber ball represents the mantle beneath the crust, the steel ball inside represents the earth's core, and the mud sticking unevenly on the ball's exterior represents the crust. The earth's mantle is divided into an upper and a lower mantle, and similarly, iron is divided into an inner and an outer core. These divisions take place at the points where the substance changes states; in the case of iron, the inner core is extremely hot and closer to a solid state, and the outer core is closer to a liquid state. To create a three-dimensional model of the earth's interior structure, cut an avocado in half, saving the half that has the pit (which represents the core), the fruit (which represents the mantel), and the skin (which represents the crust). You can then add more divisions as needed.

Levi Alexander · Answer

undefined The Earth's interior structure is divided into four layers: the outermost layer is called the crust, and it is made up of solid tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle beneath it; above the outer core is the mantle, which is made of semi-solid rock that flows over geological timescales; and below that is the outer core, which is composed of solid iron and nickel.