The inner core is the heaviest layer of the Earth. It's a solid ball primarily composed of iron, with temperatures reaching approximately 5,200° Celsius and pressures exceeding 3.6 million atmospheres. The inner core's density is the highest among all Earth's layers due to its composition of heavy metals and the immense pressure.
The Earth's layers are structured based on their density, with the densest materials sinking to the center. The inner core is the densest layer because it's primarily made of iron and nickel, which are heavier than the materials found in the other layers.
Here's a quick rundown of the Earth's layers from the surface to the center:
- Crust: The outermost layer, composed of relatively light rocks like basalt and granite.
- Mantle: The thickest layer, consisting of denser, mostly solid rock that flows slowly over time.
- Outer Core: Liquid iron and nickel, generating the Earth's magnetic field.
- Inner Core: Solid iron and nickel, the densest and heaviest layer.
