What is the Earth's mantle, and how does it function?

The lithosphere consists of the very top of the mantle and the crust (to a depth of approximately 100 km). The plates of the crust that carry the continental masses, and where these plates move, are a part of the lithosphere. The lithosphere is normally considered rigid. read more

The Earth's core comprises a solid inner core and liquid outer core, both made mostly of iron. Outside of these parts are the mantle, then the crust on which we live. read more

The Earth’s mantle, based on observations of density and shock waves travelling through it appears to be a thick, hot toffee-like, convecting layer of materials ranging from about 2000 degrees C under the Earth’s crust to almost 4000 degrees C where it ends at the outer core. read more