Earth’s mantle

The Earth's mantle is a thick layer of semi-solid rock located beneath the Earth's crust and above the core, extending about 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) deep. It is composed mainly of silicate minerals rich in magnesium and iron, and behaves like a very viscous, slow-moving fluid over long periods. The mantle plays a crucial role in Earth's geology, driving plate tectonics through convection currents. These currents cause continents to drift, form mountains, and trigger earthquakes. Despite being mostly solid, the mantle's ability to flow slowly allows it to facilitate geological processes that shape the Earth's surface over millions of years.