The Earth is a sphere made up of several layers which are physically different from one another. The core at the centre is metallic, hot and dense. The mantle around it (80% of the Earth’s volume) is a layer of rock subjected to high pressures and temperatures. The continents and the ocean floor make up the Earth’s crust, the outer layer.
Illustrations are drawn to scale.

Click on the different layers to display their characteristics.

Click on [zoom-plus] to see details of the upper layers.