What Are the Layers of the Earth?

A: Have you ever wondered what lies beneath your feet? The Earth may seem like a solid ball of rock, but in reality, it is made up of different layers, each with its own unique characteristics. By studying earthquakes, volcanoes, and rock samples, scientists have been able to uncover the secrets of what lies deep inside our planet. Let’s take a journey together to explore these fascinating layers of the Earth.

The Four Main Layers of the Earth

1. The Crust – Our Home Layer

The crust is the outermost layer where we live.
It is made up of rocks, soil, and water bodies.
Compared to the entire Earth, the crust is very thin – like the skin of an apple.
There are two types of crust:
- Continental Crust – thicker and forms the landmasses.
- Oceanic Crust – thinner but denser, found under oceans.

👉 Fun fact: The crust makes up less than 1% of the Earth’s total volume!

Do You Know?

The Earth’s crust is thinner under the oceans (about 5–10 km) but much thicker under mountains (up to 70 km).

2. The Mantle – The Thickest Layer

Just below the crust lies the mantle, which extends about 2,900 km deep.
It is made up of semi-solid rocks that can slowly flow, almost like thick toffee.
The movement of the mantle is what drives plate tectonics, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The mantle is divided into:
- Upper Mantle – partly molten, responsible for volcanic activity.
- Lower Mantle – hotter and denser, but mostly solid.

3. The Outer Core – The Liquid Layer

Beneath the mantle, we find the outer core, made mostly of liquid iron and nickel.
This layer is extremely hot – temperatures reach around 4,000–5,000°C.
The movement of liquid metals in the outer core creates the Earth’s magnetic field, which protects us from harmful solar radiation.

Do You Know?

The liquid outer core is the reason why Earth has a magnetic field, which makes compasses work and shields us from solar winds.

4. The Inner Core – The Heart of the Earth

At the very centre lies the inner core, a solid ball of iron and nickel.
Despite the high temperature (up to 6,000°C – hotter than the surface of the Sun!), it remains solid because of the immense pressure.
The inner core is like the beating heart of our planet, providing energy and balance to Earth’s systems.

Do you know ?

The inner core is as hot as the surface of the Sun!

🌎 A Simple Way to Remember

Think of the Earth like a boiled egg:

The shell is the crust.
The egg white is the mantle.
The runny yolk is the outer core.
The solid center of the yolk is the inner core.

Do you know ?

We have only directly dug about 12 km deep (Kola Superdeep Borehole in Russia), which means everything we know about deeper layers comes from seismic studies and scientific models.

Conclusion

The Earth’s layers – crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core – are what make our planet dynamic and full of life. Without them, we wouldn’t have mountains, oceans, magnetic fields, or even the air we breathe. Next time you walk outside, remember that beneath your feet lies a world full of mysteries still waiting to be discovered.