lithoszféra

The lithosphere is the rigid, outermost shell of a terrestrial-type planet or natural satellite. It is composed of all the crust and the portion of the upper mantle that behaves as a brittle solid. The lithosphere is so named because it is broken into a number of pieces, called lithospheric plates. These plates are rigid and move across the surface of the Earth, interacting with each other in various ways.

The thickness of the lithosphere varies considerably, from about 10 kilometers in oceanic areas to over 200 kilometers in continental areas. The lithosphere is divided into two main types: oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere. Oceanic lithosphere is thinner and denser than continental lithosphere. Continental lithosphere is thicker and less dense.

The lithosphere plays a crucial role in many geological processes, including plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanism. The movement of lithospheric plates is the primary driver of plate tectonics, which is responsible for the formation of mountains, volcanoes, and ocean trenches. Earthquakes occur when lithospheric plates shift and grind against each other. Volcanism is the eruption of molten rock from the Earth's interior onto the surface, often associated with plate boundaries. The lithosphere is a dynamic and ever-changing part of the Earth's surface.