It's not technically molten, but rather a semi-solid state known as "solidus". Think of it like a thick, viscous fluid that can flow very slowly over long periods. The mantle is incredibly hot, reaching temperatures of around 1000°C (1832°F) near the crust and even higher towards the Earth's core.
Here's a breakdown:
* Crust: The outermost layer of Earth, relatively thin and composed of solid rock.
* Mantle: The thickest layer of Earth, located below the crust and above the core. It's made of mostly silicate minerals and is where magma originates.
* Core: The innermost layer of Earth, divided into a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.
The movement of the mantle, driven by heat from the Earth's core, is responsible for plate tectonics, which shapes Earth's continents, mountains, and ocean basins.
