---
title: "Earth's Layers"
description: "Know Earth's three main layers: a thin rocky crust, a thick hot mantle that is mostly solid rock, and a metal core at the centre. Know that some rock below the surface can melt."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-layers-mt_jwElFY7Syd
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-layers-mt_jwElFY7Syd.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Earth's Layers

Know Earth's three main layers: a thin rocky crust, a thick hot mantle that is mostly solid rock, and a metal core at the centre. Know that some rock below the surface can melt.

Subject: Science · Area: Volcanoes & Earthquakes · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-layers-mt_jwElFY7Syd

## Ready when they can

- Name Earth's three main layers: crust, mantle, and core
- Explain that the crust is much thinner than the mantle and core
- State that Earth is very hot inside, most mantle rock is solid, and some rock below the surface can melt

## Lesson: Earth's Layers

You have learned about Earth's rocky ground and volcanoes that bring melted rock up. Earth has three main layers. The crust is the thin, rocky outside. Below it is the mantle, a thick layer of hot rock. The mantle lies between the crust and the core. The core is mostly metal at the centre.

*(drawing: Read from outside to centre. These cards show order, not the layers' shapes or thicknesses.)*

**Example.** An adult cuts a cooled hard-boiled egg in half. Its shell can stand for the crust, the white for the mantle, and the yolk for the core. The model shows positions. It does not show Earth's materials or heat. Earth's core is mostly metal, not yolk.

*(drawing: The egg parts follow the same outside-to-centre order. They are not made of Earth's materials.)*

The crust is much thinner than the mantle and core. We live on land at the top of the crust. The crust also lies below the oceans.

Earth is very hot inside. Most mantle rock is solid, though some rock below the surface can melt. Volcanoes can bring melted rock up. The core is the hottest part. Its outer part is liquid metal. Its inner part is solid metal.

**Recap.** Earth has a thin rocky crust, a hot mantle that is mostly solid rock, and a metal core. Some rock below the surface can melt.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [What Is a Volcano](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/what-is-a-volcano-mt_S9SKah-yi_)
- [Earth's Rocky Ground](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-rocky-ground-mt_uUa6cgv8zV)

## Opens up

- [Types of Rock](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/types-of-rock-mt_NYA50DFcOO)
- [Inside a Volcano](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/inside-a-volcano-mt_QtIAWOcoQT)
- [Tectonic Plates](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/tectonic-plates-mt_XrvPx5kUfO)
- [How Rocks Change Over Time](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/how-rocks-change-over-time-mt_z7AJZapsJj)