Earth's Layers

• Depth: 5–70 km

• Composition: Rock

• Temperature: 0–800°C

• Other characteristic: contains            tectonic plates

• Depth: 2,890 km

• Composition: Solid rock

• Temperature: 500–4,000°C

• Other characteristic: provides magma to volcanoes

Because the temperature is so high, the metal is melted into a liquid. The pressure in the outer core is higher than what you would feel from the most powerful explosion on Earth's surface.

• Depth: 2,260 km

• Composition: Iron and nickel

• Temperature: 4,000–5,500°C

• Other characteristic: Responsible for Earth's magnetic field

Inner Core
Earth's inner core is made of solid metal. Why? All of Earth's layers squeeze down on the inner core. The incredibly high pressure presses the material of the inner core into a solid state.

• Depth: 1,220 km

• Composition:Iron and nickel

• Temperature: 5,000–6000°C

• Other characteristic: Highest pressure/density