Earthвђ™s Mantle Is May 2026

: 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

: 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. : Stretching from 660 km down to the

: Heat from the core creates convection currents in the mantle. These currents act like a conveyor belt, moving tectonic plates, creating mountains, and causing earthquakes. It is generally divided into three main sections:

Earth's mantle is the massive layer of silicate rock located between the planet's thin outer crust and its dense, super-heated core. Accounting for about , it is the engine room of our planet, driving the geological processes that shape the surface we live on. Composition and Structure