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Difficulty: MediumEarth's Interior and Plate Tectonics

Earth's interior is structured into mechanical layers defined by their physical state and mechanical behavior. What is the correct sequence of these mechanical layers, arranged in order from Earth's surface inward to the center of the planet?

  1. 1Lithosphere: Rigid, brittle outer shell composed of the crust and uppermost mantle
  2. 2Asthenosphere: Semi-fluid, ductile layer within the upper mantle capable of plastic deformation
  3. 3Mesosphere: Solid, rigid lower mantle subjected to immense lithostatic pressure
  4. 4Outer Core: Liquid layer of molten iron and nickel that generates Earth's magnetic field
  5. 5Inner Core: Extremely dense, solid sphere of iron and nickel under extreme pressure

Answer

Lithosphere → Asthenosphere → Mesosphere → Outer Core → Inner Core
Moving from the surface to the center of Earth, the mechanical layers increase in depth and density in the following sequence: Lithosphere (0-100 km), Asthenosphere (100-660 km), Mesosphere (660-2,900 km), Outer Core (2,900-5,150 km), and Inner Core (5,150-6,370 km).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the outermost rigid surface layer
The lithosphere is established as the first layer from the surface.
The lithosphere comprises the crust and brittle uppermost mantle, forming Earth's exterior tectonic plates.
2
Identify the ductile layer directly beneath the tectonic plates
The asthenosphere is placed second in the sequence.
High temperatures allow the asthenosphere to flow plastically directly beneath the rigid lithosphere.
3
Identify the solid lower mantle beneath the upper mantle
The mesosphere is placed third in the sequence.
Immense confining pressure keeps the lower mantle solid despite high temperatures from 660 km to 2,900 km depth.
4
Sequence the core layers according to depth and state of matter
The molten outer core precedes the solid inner core.
The liquid outer core extends from 2,900 km to 5,150 km, surrounding the solid inner core at Earth's center (5,150 km to 6,370 km).

Key Concept

Mechanical stratification of Earth's interior based on depth and physical properties
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Earth's Interior and Plate Tectonics

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