Layers of the Earth

Crust: the Earth has two main types of crust:
- Oceanic crust: situated below the ocean and thinner than continental crust. This layer is made of basalt which is denser and ideal for subduction.
- Continental crust: found beneath continents and thicker than oceanic crust. This type of crust is made of granite which is less dense than basalt.
Mantle: the thickest section of all the earth’s layers. (approx. 2,900 km) and made from semi-molten rock (magma).
Core: broken down into two further layers (inner and outer) which are both made from nickel and iron.
- The inner core is a solid and the hottest part of the Earth.
- The outer core is liquid matter.

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