Lithosphere
Lithosphere
The Lithosphere (pronounced /ˈlɪθəˌsfɪər/) is the rigid, outermost shell of a terrestrial-type planet or natural satellite that is defined by its rigid mechanical properties.
Etymology
The term "Lithosphere" is derived from the Ancient Greek words lithos meaning "rocky", and sphaira meaning "sphere".
Definition
The lithosphere is composed of the crust and the portion of the uppermost mantle that behaves elastically on timescales of thousands of years or greater. The lithosphere is underlain by the Asthenosphere, a more ductile layer of the mantle that is involved in plate tectonic movements and isostatic adjustments.
Related Terms
- Asthenosphere: The highly viscous, mechanically weak and ductilely deforming region of the upper mantle of the Earth.
- Tectonic Plates: The large scale motion of large pieces of the Earth's lithosphere.
- Mantle: The part of the earth's interior between the silicate shell of the crust and the outer core.
- Crust: The outermost solid shell of a rocky planet, dwarf planet, or natural satellite.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lithosphere
- Wikipedia's article - Lithosphere
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