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Adapted from Volcanoes Are Hot: Oliver’s Great Big Universe #2 by Jorge Cham. September 2024. Used with permission from Amulet Books, part of ABRAMS.
Understanding Earth Through a Layered Perspective
Imagine the Earth as you would a layered dessert.
The Layers of Creation
Take those delightful layered cakes sold at bakeries, where each component settles distinctly after being mixed and shaken up. The cream rises to the top, while the denser layers rest below and any heavier bits settle at the very base.
Similarly, in its formative years as a molten sphere billions of years ago, our planet underwent this exact process! The lighter materials floated toward the surface while heavier substances sank deep within.
The Planet’s Structure Explained
Earth takes on a rounded shape—think of how materials settle when they are poured into an orb—establishing that densest elements gather at its core while lighter ones create outer layers.