litosferës

The lithosphere is the rigid, outermost shell of a terrestrial-type planet or natural satellite. On Earth, it is composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. The lithosphere is broken into a number of pieces called tectonic plates. These plates are rigid and float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. The lithosphere is where all terrestrial processes occur, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building.

The Earth's lithosphere is divided into two types: oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere. Oceanic lithosphere is thinner and denser than continental lithosphere. It is primarily composed of basalt. Continental lithosphere is thicker and less dense. It is primarily composed of granite and other felsic rocks. The lithospheric plates are constantly moving, albeit very slowly, driven by convection currents within the Earth's mantle. This movement is responsible for the geological features we see on the Earth's surface, such as continents, ocean basins, mountains, and volcanoes. The interaction between these plates at their boundaries can result in significant geological events.