About Earth's Layers
Earth is layered because materials separated as the planet formed and because pressure and temperature change with depth. Scientists cannot drill very far into Earth, so much of what we know comes from earthquake waves, gravity, magnetism, laboratory experiments, and meteorites.
Crust
Explore the key ideas behind crust.
Learn MoreMantle
Explore the key ideas behind mantle.
Learn MoreOuter Core
Explore the key ideas behind outer core.
Learn MoreInner Core
Explore the key ideas behind inner core.
Learn MoreSeismic Waves
Explore the key ideas behind seismic waves.
Learn MorePressure and Temperature
Explore the key ideas behind pressure and temperature.
Learn MoreMagnetic Field
Explore the key ideas behind magnetic field.
Learn MoreHow We Know
Explore the key ideas behind how we know.
Learn MoreCrust
Crust is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying crust also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Mantle
Mantle is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying mantle also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Outer Core
Outer Core is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying outer core also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Inner Core
Inner Core is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying inner core also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Seismic Waves
Seismic Waves is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying seismic waves also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Pressure and Temperature
Pressure and Temperature is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying pressure and temperature also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Magnetic Field
Magnetic Field is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying magnetic field also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
How We Know
How We Know is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying how we know also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.