The Earth's depth, from the surface to its center, is 6,371 kilometers. This measurement represents the Earth's mean radius.
Understanding Earth's Layers
To understand the depth, it's helpful to know the different layers of the Earth:
- Crust: The outermost layer, which is approximately 35 kilometers thick.
- Mantle: Beneath the crust, the mantle extends to a depth of 2855 kilometers.
- Core: The innermost part of the Earth, which the remaining distance from mantle extends up to.
Key Measurements
The following table summarizes the distances:
| Layer | Approximate Thickness/Distance (km) |
|---|---|
| Radius | 6,371 |
| Crust | 35 |
| Mantle | 2855 |
Additional Facts
- The circumference of the Earth is about 40,075 kilometers.
- The measurement of 6,371 kilometers represents the mean radius, as the Earth is not perfectly spherical.
- The deepest point on Earth is in the Mariana Trench, but this is related to depth of the ocean and not the depth of the earth's center.
