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How does the part of Earth we live on the crust compare in thickness to the entire earth?

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The crust, which is the outermost layer of the Earth, is relatively thin compared to the entire earth. The crust makes up only about 1% of the Earth's total mass and is an average of 30 km (19 mi) thick. This means that the crust is much thinner than the Earth as a whole, which has a radius of about 6,371 km (3,959 mi).

The Earth's crust is divided into several tectonic plates, which are pieces of the Earth's lithosphere (the solid outer layer of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle) that move and interact with each other. The crust is composed of solid rock and is relatively thin compared to the other layers of the Earth, such as the mantle and core.

In contrast, the Earth's mantle, which is the layer beneath the crust, is much thicker and makes up about 84% of the Earth's total mass. The mantle is a layer of hot, semi-solid rock that extends from the base of the crust to a depth of about 2,900 km (1,800 mi).

The Earth's core, which is the layer at the center of the planet, is also much thicker than the crust. The core is composed of iron and nickel and extends from a depth of about 2,900 km (1,800 mi) to the center of the Earth, which has a radius of about 3,485 km (2,162 mi).

Overall, the crust is much thinner than the entire Earth, and it makes up only a small fraction of the Earth's total mass.

User Will McGugan
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