litosfääriga

The lithosphere is the rigid outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle. It is broken into a number of large pieces called tectonic plates. These plates move slowly over the asthenosphere, a hotter, more ductile layer of the mantle beneath. The interactions between these plates are responsible for many of the Earth's geological features, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges.

The lithosphere's thickness varies, generally being thinner under oceans and thicker under continents. Oceanic lithosphere is primarily composed of basaltic rocks, while continental lithosphere is made up of a more diverse range of rock types, including granite. The movement of tectonic plates drives the rock cycle, constantly reshaping the Earth's surface over geological time. Understanding the lithosphere is fundamental to comprehending plate tectonics and its profound impact on our planet.