lithosphere

Everyday

(science) The lithosphere is the hard, rocky outer layer of the Earth: the crust plus the very top part of the mantle, about 100 km thick, broken into tectonic plates. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons pupils learn the Earth's layers (crust, mantle, outer core, inner core) and the «spheres»: lithosphere (rock), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air) and biosphere (living things). The lithosphere's plates move slowly, causing earthquakes, volcanoes and mountains. Phrases: «the Earth's lithosphere», «oceanic lithosphere».

Examples

• The lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates. tree →
• The lithosphere includes the crust and the top of the mantle. tree →
• Earthquakes happen when parts of the lithosphere move. tree →
• The lithosphere floats on a softer layer called the asthenosphere. tree →
• Rocks, mountains and soil are part of the lithosphere. tree →
• The lithosphere is thinner under the oceans than under continents. tree →

Note

Uncountable, used with «the». Pronounced «LITH-oh-sfeer». From Greek «lithos» = stone. Not quite the same as «the crust»: the lithosphere is the crust plus the stiff upper mantle. Myth: the mantle is not a sea of liquid lava; it is mostly solid rock that flows very slowly.