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Welcome to the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from about 700 km to 10,000 km above the surface.
Extending from 80 km to 700 km above Earth's surface, the thermosphere is where temperatures can reach up to 2,000°C, yet would feel cold to human skin due to the extremely thin air.
The thermosphere expands during periods of high solar activity, causing more drag on satellites and altering their orbits!
The mesosphere extends from about 50 to 85 kilometers above the Earth's surface. It's the layer where temperatures decrease with height, reaching the coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere.
Noctilucent clouds are the highest clouds in Earth's atmosphere and can only be seen during twilight when the Sun is below the horizon.
The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from about 10-50 kilometers (6-31 miles) above Earth's surface. Here, the temperature increases with height due to absorption of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
The ozone layer absorbs 97-99% of the Sun's medium-frequency ultraviolet radiation, protecting life on Earth from genetic damage.
The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface to about 8-15 kilometers high. This is where we live and where most weather occurs.
Click the buttons on the right to change weather conditions!
The crust is Earth's outermost layer, a thin shell comprising less than 1% of Earth's volume. It's the layer we live on and where all familiar surface features are found.
If Earth were the size of an apple, the crust would be as thin as the apple's skin!
The upper mantle extends from the base of the crust (Mohorovičić discontinuity) to about 670 km deep. This region is characterized by partially molten rock that flows over geological time.
The upper mantle's asthenosphere allows the tectonic plates to move like a conveyor belt, at speeds of 2-10 cm per year!
The lower mantle extends from 670 km to about 2,900 km depth, comprising over half of Earth's volume. This vast region experiences extreme pressures and temperatures that transform the physical properties of rock.
The mysterious D" (D double-prime) layer at the base of the lower mantle is one of Earth's most exotic regions, where seismic waves change behavior dramatically!
The outer core is a 2,200 km thick layer of liquid metal, primarily iron and nickel, that surrounds the inner core. It's the only liquid layer within Earth's interior.
Earth's magnetic poles have completely reversed hundreds of times throughout Earth's history. The last reversal occurred about 780,000 years ago!
The inner core is Earth's deepest layer, a solid sphere of iron and nickel approximately 1,220 km in radius. Despite extreme temperatures of up to 6,700°C, the core remains solid due to immense pressure.
The inner core's iron is crystallized in a hexagonal close-packed structure under extreme pressure.
As the Earth cools, the inner core solidifies from the liquid outer core at a rate of approximately 1mm per year.
Expand your knowledge about Earth's layers with these carefully curated resources, activities, and learning materials.
A comprehensive explanation of Earth's atmospheric and internal layers with stunning visualizations.
Step-by-step guide to create your own model of Earth's layers using household materials.
Test your knowledge with this interactive quiz about Earth's atmospheric and internal structures.
A comprehensive study guide with diagrams, facts, and explanations about all Earth layers.
Understand how plate tectonics relate to Earth's interior structure and crust movement.
Interactive simulation to understand how seismic waves travel through Earth's layers.
Get access to curriculum materials, lesson plans, and printable worksheets designed for teaching about Earth's structure.
Explore the connection between volcanic activity and Earth's internal structure.
Learn more →Learn how Earth's core generates the magnetic field that protects our planet.
Learn more →Discover how Earth's atmosphere influences our climate and weather patterns.
Learn more →Have questions about Earth's layers? Want to collaborate on educational projects? We'd love to hear from you!
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