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The crust is referred to as the outer skin of the planet, where all life as we know it exists. There are two types of crust--continental, which is granitic in composition, and oceanic, which is basaltic in composition. The depth of the crust varies from about 0-40 miles, and is composed mainly of silicate rich rock.

The mantle extends from the boundary with the crust, to a depth of around 1800 miles, making it Earth's most massive layer. The uppermost layer is a brittle solid and is attached to the crust. Directly underneath the crust and uppermost mantle lies the asthenosphere, where hot solid rock is in a plastic-like state, able to move long distances on geologic time scales. This plasticity decreases with depth as the lithostatic pressure increases toward the boundary with the core. Chemically, the mantle differs from the crust in that the rock is ultramafic (very high in iron and magnesium) compared to the more silica rich rock of the crust. Temperature also increases with depth (geothermal gradient), and therefore temperatures in the mantle are significantly higher than in the crust.

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12y ago
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4mo ago

The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, while the mantle lies beneath the crust. The crust is more rigid and thinner compared to the mantle, which is denser and semi-solid, composed of rock that flows slowly over time.

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Q: What is the difference between the crust and the mantle?
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The distinction between the crust and mantle is primarily on the basis of a difference in?

composition — the crust is primarily composed of lighter, silicate minerals like granite and basalt, while the mantle is composed of denser minerals like peridotite. This compositional difference contributes to variations in density, temperature, and behaviour between the crust and mantle layers of the Earth.


The distance between the crust and the mantle?

15 kilo meters is the distance between the crust and the mantle


What is the meaning of the upper mantle?

a mantle is something between the crust


What is the moho barrier for?

It is between the Crust and the upper mantle


Topographic highs in the crust have deep what that extend into the mantle and provide buoyant support?

Topographic highs in the crust have deep roots that extend into the mantle and provide buoyant support through isostasy. These roots are a result of the difference in density between the crust and underlying mantle, allowing for uplifted regions to be supported by the denser mantle material beneath.


What is the difference between Mohorovicic discontinuity and Gutenberg discontinuity?

The Mohorovicic discontinuity, or Moho, is the boundary between the Earth's crust and mantle, marking a change in seismic wave velocity. The Gutenberg discontinuity is the boundary between the Earth's mantle and outer core, where seismic waves change velocity and nature. Essentially, the Moho separates the crust and mantle, while the Gutenberg discontinuity separates the mantle and outer core.


Is the boundary between the crust and upper mantle?

The boundary between the crust and upper mantle is known as the Mohorovičić discontinuity or Moho. It represents the change in seismic wave velocity and composition between the rigid outer layer (crust) and the more ductile layer beneath (mantle).


What is between the mantle and the soil layer?

the crust


What layer is between the crust and the core?

The mantle.


What is between the crust and the core of the earth?

The mantle.


How far is the mantle away from the crust of the earth?

The mantle is located directly beneath the Earth's crust and is approximately 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) thick. The boundary between the crust and the mantle is known as the Mohorovičić discontinuity or Moho.


What are the zone between core and crust?

The zone between the core and crust of the Earth is the mantle. It is a layer of solid rock that extends about 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) below the Earth's surface. The mantle is made up of silicate minerals and is responsible for convection currents that drive plate tectonics.