= Solid Earth
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The <Solid Earth> is the rocky interior-and-surface system of <Earth>, including its <crust>, <mantle> and metallic core. The term includes the liquid <outer core of the Earth> as well as the solid inner core. Mechanical classifications overlap these compositional layers: the <lithosphere> contains the crust and the relatively rigid uppermost mantle.
The response also depends on timescale. The <mantle> supports <elastic waves> on seismic timescales while undergoing slow <mantle flow> over geological times. The outer core's liquid response prevents propagation of bulk <S waves>, whereas compressional <P waves> can propagate through it. These contrasting responses help constrain the internal structure through <seismic waves>.
A quantitative reference describes radial profiles of <mass density> and elastic wave speeds. The <Preliminary Reference Earth Model>, developed by <Adam M. Dziewonski> and <Don L. Anderson>, combines wave observations with global constraints such as Earth's <mass> and <moment of inertia>. Its averaged layers are a reference for interpreting departures observed in the real, laterally varying Earth.<Preliminary reference Earth model by Adam M. Dziewonski and Don L. Anderson>[Abstract and model construction: radial density and seismic properties]{ref}
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