litoszférában

The lithosphere is the rigid, outermost shell of a terrestrial-type planet or natural satellite. It is composed of all the crust and the part of the upper mantle, which together form the convection system of the planet. On Earth, the lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates, whose movement causes earthquakes and volcanic activity. The lithosphere is divided into two main parts: the oceanic lithosphere and the continental lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is thinner and denser than the continental lithosphere, and it is found beneath the oceans. The continental lithosphere is thicker and less dense, and it forms the continents. The lithosphere is constantly being created and destroyed through processes such as seafloor spreading and subduction. The lithosphere plays a crucial role in Earth's geological processes and is fundamental to understanding plate tectonics and the planet's dynamic nature. Its thickness varies significantly, being thinner under mid-ocean ridges and thicker under old continental cratons.