Exit 3D

Layers of the Earth in 3D

Loading the 3D scene…

Continental crust0–70 km · solid rockUpper mantleto 660 km · soft, slowly flowing rockLower mantle660–2,900 km · solid rockOceanic crust5–10 km thick · basaltOuter core2,900–5,150 km · liquid metalInner core5,150–6,371 km · solid metalCrust and upper mantle drawn thickerthan scale so you can see them.123456

Earth’s layers at a glance
LayerDepthTemperatureStateMade of
Continental crust0 to about 30–70 kmSurface temperature to about 200–400 °C at its baseSolid rockGranite-like rocks rich in silicon, oxygen and aluminum
Oceanic crust0 to about 5–10 km below the sea floorNear freezing at the sea floor to a few hundred °C at its baseSolid rockBasalt, rich in iron and magnesium
Upper mantleFrom the base of the crust to about 660 kmAbout 1,000 °C near the crust, hotter with depthSolid, but soft and slowly flowing in the asthenosphereRock rich in iron and magnesium (peridotite)
Lower mantleAbout 660 to 2,900 kmUp to about 3,700 °C near the coreSolid (pressure keeps it from melting)Dense iron and magnesium silicate minerals
Outer coreAbout 2,900 to 5,150 kmAbout 4,500–5,500 °CLiquid metalIron and nickel, with a little oxygen or sulfur
Inner coreAbout 5,150 km to the center, 6,371 km downAbout 5,200–5,400 °CSolid metalMostly iron, with nickel