Here's a breakdown:
* Earth's Core: The Earth's core is divided into two parts: the outer core (liquid) and the inner core (solid).
* Outer Core: This layer is about 1,400 miles (2,200 kilometers) thick and is composed mainly of liquid iron and nickel. The extreme pressure and temperature keep the iron and nickel in a molten state, even though the temperature is estimated to be around 4,500-5,500 degrees Celsius (8,132-9,932 degrees Fahrenheit).
* Inner Core: This is the Earth's innermost layer, about 750 miles (1,220 kilometers) thick. It's made primarily of solid iron and nickel, but its extreme pressure (about 3.3 million times the pressure at sea level) is so intense that it keeps the metals from melting, despite the temperature being around 5,200 degrees Celsius (9,392 degrees Fahrenheit).
So, while the Earth's core is incredibly hot, it's not soft and spongy. It's more like a giant, solid ball of metal surrounded by a sea of molten metal.
