Which layer lies directly beneath the mantle?

Which layer lies directly beneath the mantle?

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

Answer: (D)

Think of Earth as a stack of shells from the outside in: crust, mantle, outer core, then inner core. When we move downward from the mantle, the next distinct layer is the outer core. This boundary between the mantle and the outer core is known as the core-mantle boundary. The outer core is a layer of liquid iron and nickel, which sits above the solid inner core. So, the layer directly beneath the mantle is the outer core.

Think of Earth as a stack of shells from the outside in: crust, mantle, outer core, then inner core. When we move downward from the mantle, the next distinct layer is the outer core. This boundary between the mantle and the outer core is known as the core-mantle boundary. The outer core is a layer of liquid iron and nickel, which sits above the solid inner core. So, the layer directly beneath the mantle is the outer core.