What is the difference between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere?

Plate Tectonics Questions



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What is the difference between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere?

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is divided into several tectonic plates that float and move on the semi-fluid asthenosphere. The asthenosphere is a partially molten and ductile region of the upper mantle beneath the lithosphere. It is responsible for the movement of the tectonic plates due to its ability to flow slowly over long periods of time. In summary, the main difference between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere is their physical properties, with the lithosphere being rigid and the asthenosphere being semi-fluid.