What is the lithosphere?

Plate Tectonics Questions Medium



58 Short 67 Medium 49 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is the lithosphere?

The lithosphere is the rigid outermost layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is divided into several large and small tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath. The lithosphere is responsible for the movement and interaction of these tectonic plates, which leads to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges. It plays a crucial role in the theory of plate tectonics, which explains the dynamic nature of the Earth's surface and the processes that shape it.