The Earth's mantle is a thick layer located between the Earth's crust and the outer core. It extends about 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) deep and is composed mainly of silicate minerals rich in iron and magnesium. The mantle is semi-solid, allowing for slow movement, which plays a crucial role in the process of plate tectonics. This movement causes the mantle to convect, creating currents that drive the movement of the tectonic plates on the Earth's surface. The mantle's temperature ranges from about 500 to 4,000 degrees Celsius (932 to 7,232 degrees Fahrenheit), increasing with depth. Understanding the mantle is essential for studying geological processes and the formation of the Earth's features.