Earth Science help?

Question

Hey,

The mantle is described as “soft and plastic.” What does this mean?

Thanks!

Answer 1

The high temperature of the mantle causes the rock that makes it up to have some very interesting properties. Unlike the rock that makes up the crust, the rock in the mantel is not completely solid. It behaves more like a very thick syrup flowing very slowly around in the mantel. When subjected to an abrupt force, however, the "syrup" hardens into a firm solid. After the force passes, the rock returns to its syrupy, flowing state. Scientists call this rock plastic rock, because it has some properties of a solid and other properties of a liquid.

So, plastic rock is rock that behaves like something between a liquid and a solid.

I hope this is the information you needed. Have a great day!

Answer 2

it means it has an easily malleable texture, like playdoh or silly putty. this is opposed to the "hard and brittle" crust, which is not malleable at all.