The lithosphere is primarily composed of three main layers: the crust, mantle, and core. These layers differ significantly in their composition and physical state, as detailed below.
Composition of the Lithosphere
The lithosphere, Earth's rigid outer layer, is made up of distinct components:
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Crust: The outermost layer, it is a solid silicate material. It's the thinnest layer and is what we live on.
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Mantle: Beneath the crust, the mantle is a viscous molten rock layer. This layer is much thicker than the crust and is composed of semi-solid rock.
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Core: The Earth's innermost part is the core. The core consists of two parts:
- Outer Core: This is a liquid layer composed of iron and nickel.
- Inner Core: This is a solid iron and nickel layer, under immense pressure.
| Layer | Composition | State |
|---|---|---|
| Crust | Solid silicate material | Solid |
| Mantle | Viscous molten rock | Semi-solid |
| Outer Core | Liquid iron and nickel | Liquid |
| Inner Core | Solid iron and nickel | Solid |
It is important to note, that although the core is mentioned in the reference it is considered to have two parts: the outer and inner core, hence the three main components of the lithosphere are, the crust, mantle and core.
