lithosferische

Lithosferische is an adjective used in geology to denote features, materials, or processes related to the lithosphere, the rigid outer shell of the Earth. The lithosphere comprises the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle and behaves as a comparatively strong, brittle layer at geological timescales.

The lithosphere is divided into two broad types: continental lithosphere, which is thicker and less dense, and oceanic lithosphere, which is thinner and more mafic. Typical thicknesses range from about 60 to 70 kilometers for oceanic lithosphere, and roughly 120 to 200 kilometers for continental lithosphere, though these values vary with age and tectonic history. Beneath the lithosphere lies the asthenosphere, a partially molten, more ductile portion of the upper mantle that allows the rigid lithospheric plates to move.

Lithosferische processes are central to plate tectonics. The plates are rigid segments of the lithosphere that float and move on the asthenosphere. Interactions at plate boundaries—divergent, convergent, and transform—drive earthquakes, volcanism, mountain building, and basin formation. Creation of lithosphere occurs at mid-ocean ridges as new crust cools and thickens, while older lithosphere is recycled at subduction zones.

Geophysical methods, including seismology, gravimetry, and heat flow studies, illuminate the structure and properties of lithospheric regions. Variations in thickness, composition, and rigidity influence surface topography, tectonic activity, and the long-term evolution of the Earth's outer shell.