Earth Layers Explorer

Take a journey from the surface to the center of our planet.

1. Exploration Depth
Crust Mantle Outer Core Inner Core

0 km (Surface)

2. Physical State
SOLID ROCK
The Crust
The thin, outer shell of the Earth where we live.
~35 km Avg. Thickness
20 - 400 °C Temp Range
Granite & Basalt Primary Composition
Surface Center (6,371 km)

Earth's Compositional Layers

Earth is organized into distinct layers, sorted primarily by density during the planet's formation over 4 billion years ago.

  • The Crust: Composed of tectonic plates. Oceanic crust is dense and thin (basalt), while continental crust is thicker and lighter (granite).
  • The Mantle: The thickest layer. Though hot and under immense pressure, it consists of solid, "plastic" rock that flows very slowly over millions of years.
  • The Outer Core: A churning sea of liquid iron and nickel. Its convection currents generate Earth's vital magnetic field.
  • The Inner Core: The intense pressure at the center of the Earth keeps this iron-nickel alloy in a solid state, despite temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun.