: Stretching from 660 km down to the core-mantle boundary, this region is under such immense pressure that the rock remains solid despite temperatures exceeding 3,000°C. Why It Matters
The mantle is approximately 2,900 kilometers (1,802 miles) thick and is primarily composed of rocks rich in magnesium and iron, such as . While it is solid rock, it behaves like an extremely viscous fluid over millions of years—a property known as plasticity. It is generally divided into three main sections: Earth’s mantle is
: Extending from the crust to about 410 km deep, it includes the lithosphere (the rigid top layer) and the asthenosphere , a semi-fluid zone that allows tectonic plates to slide. : Stretching from 660 km down to the
: Located between 410 km and 660 km, where extreme pressure causes minerals to change their crystalline structure, becoming much denser. It is generally divided into three main sections:
: The mantle acts as a thermal blanket, slowly releasing the primordial heat from Earth’s formation and the radioactive decay of elements, maintaining the planet's internal temperature balance.