Use the following word bank to complete the paragraph about Earth’s mantle.. You

Question

Use the following word bank to complete the paragraph about Earth’s mantle.. You may use a term more than once. (11 pts):

            lithosphere                   rigid                 crust                            solid                 melt

convection                  plates               asthenosphere            fluid                 pressure

Geologists have segregated the mantle into 2 layers by process - upper and lower mantle. Despite the very high temperatures, the lower mantle is comprised of strong, _____ rock that is ductile and capable of flow.   The strength of the ductile lower mantle rocks despite the very high temperatures is a consequence of the high confining ______ exerted by the mass of rock overlying this layer. The upper mantle is comprised of two layers. The deepest part of the upper mantle, called the ______ is very hot but under less pressure than the lower mantle. Therefore   the rock in this layer is more _______ than the lower mantle - much like thick peanut butter or stiff clay. However, in some locations within this layer, the rock may completely _____ into a liquid state under the high temperatures. The uppermost layer of the upper mantle is _____, brittle, and solid rock attached to the overlying ______. Together, the uppermost mantle and crust comprise an outer shell called the ______ that is broken onto large slabs called ______. These slabs float’ upon the _______ and move in response to _____.

Explanation / Answer

Answer: Geologists have segregated the mantle into 2 layers by process - upper and lower mantle. Despite the very high temperatures, the lower mantle is comprised of strong, solid rock that is ductile and capable of flow. The strength of the ductile lower mantle rocks despite the very high temperatures is a consequence of the high confining pressure exerted by the mass of rock overlying this layer. The upper mantle is comprised of two layers. The deepest part of the upper mantle, called the asthenosphere is very hot but under less pressure than the lower mantle. Therefore the rock in this layer is more ductile than the lower mantle - much like thick peanut butter or stiff clay. However, in some locations within this layer, the rock may completely melt into a liquid state under the high temperatures. The uppermost layer of the upper mantle is rigid, brittle, and solid rock attached to the overlying crust. Together, the uppermost mantle and crust comprise an outer shell called the lithosphere that is broken onto large slabs called plates. These slabs float’ upon the asthenosphere and move in response to convection.

Answer are highlighted as bold and underlined .

[Here, I used an extra term - ductile which is appropriate for describing asthenosphere. But, I donot get appropriate position for the term fluid.]

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