Which layer lies between the crust and the core and is hot and solid?

Which layer lies between the crust and the core and is hot and solid?

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

Answer: (D)

Mantle fits this description. It sits between the Earth's crust and its core, and it is extremely hot due to residual formation heat and radioactive decay. Even though it is hot, it remains solid under the great pressures deep inside the planet. The upper part (the asthenosphere) can flow slowly and allows tectonic plates to move above it, but it’s still considered solid overall. The outer core is liquid metal, and the inner core is solid metal, so neither of those layers matches being between the crust and the core while being solid.

Mantle fits this description. It sits between the Earth's crust and its core, and it is extremely hot due to residual formation heat and radioactive decay. Even though it is hot, it remains solid under the great pressures deep inside the planet. The upper part (the asthenosphere) can flow slowly and allows tectonic plates to move above it, but it’s still considered solid overall. The outer core is liquid metal, and the inner core is solid metal, so neither of those layers matches being between the crust and the core while being solid.