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Asked by alicesaysroar to Amy, Karen, Sarah, Vijay, Will on 13 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by meg123.
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Karen Reed answered on 13 Jun 2012:
I’m no expert in this but I think its mainly the metal iron – a big ball of very VERY hot but solid iron. Outside of that you have the molten (liquid) layer of again mainly iron with a few other things in it, then you have the earth crust.
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Will Reynolds answered on 13 Jun 2012:
Hi Alice. Yes like Karen says it is mostly iron. The centre of the earth is a big solid ball of iron about 70 % the size of the moon, called the inner core. This is surronded by a layer of liquid iron about 2000 metres deep which is called the outer core, or mantle. The inner core is hotter than the mantle so you would expect it to be a liquid as well, but it is very dense and under very high pressure so it a solid. Thanks for your question.
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Amy Birch answered on 13 Jun 2012:
HI alicesaysroar,
There was a great documentary last summer about scientists who are trying to reach the centre of the earth. If you’re interested you should check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhREYCs3vcc -
Sarah Martin answered on 13 Jun 2012:
Hi again alicesaysroar! Yup, iron it is – in the very centre it’s solid, but then it’s liquid until just 20 miles below us! Here’s a wee diagram for you: http://bestmailer.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/journey-to-centre-of-earth.html
The ball of iron in the centre of the Earth actually spins around itself, and produces the Earth’s magnetic field!
Comments
Karen commented on :
Thanks will – I was wondering why the middle bit is solid but the outer bit liquid – was just trying to google it to make sure I was right and find out why 🙂
Will commented on :
No worries – I googled it anyway! 🙂
matteo1998 commented on :
it is a big hot type like the sun in the centre of the earth and is hotter than 1,000,000 degres hot,
nikhilk commented on :
Pay attension in geography!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its hot magma
Amy commented on :
Hi matteo1998 & nikhilk,
The core is estimated to be about 4000 to 7000 degrees C. It’s made of iron though, not magma.
Magma is actually a mix of lots of melted rocks and is usually about 700 to 1300 degrees C. It is made in the earth’s crust and mantle from high temperatures and pressures.