Which layer lies directly beneath the Earth's crust?

Which layer lies directly beneath the Earth's crust?

• A. Mantle
• B. Outer Core
• C. Inner Core
• D. Atmosphere

Answer: (A)

The layer directly beneath the Earth's crust is the mantle. The crust is the rigid outer shell, and just below it the mantle stretches down through the majority of the planet’s volume. In the upper part of the mantle rocks are ductile and can flow slowly, which allows tectonic plates on the crust to move. The atmosphere sits above the crust, not below, while the outer and inner cores lie much deeper beneath the mantle.

The layer directly beneath the Earth's crust is the mantle. The crust is the rigid outer shell, and just below it the mantle stretches down through the majority of the planet’s volume. In the upper part of the mantle rocks are ductile and can flow slowly, which allows tectonic plates on the crust to move. The atmosphere sits above the crust, not below, while the outer and inner cores lie much deeper beneath the mantle.