litószféra

The lithosphere is the rigid, outermost shell of a terrestrial-type planet or natural satellite. It is composed of all or part of the crust and the upper mantle. The lithosphere is broken down into tectonic plates which move slowly over the asthenosphere, the mechanically weak and ductile upper layer of the mantle.

The word lithosphere comes from the Greek word lithos, meaning "rock", and sphere. The lithosphere is Earth's rocky outer layer. It is relatively thin when compared with the total radius of the Earth, but it is rigid and brittle. The thickness of the lithosphere varies, but it is generally thicker under continental crust than under oceanic crust.

The lithosphere plays a crucial role in Earth's geological processes. Plate tectonics, the movement of lithospheric plates, is responsible for earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. The slow convection currents within the Earth's mantle drive the movement of these plates. Understanding the lithosphere is fundamental to comprehending the dynamic nature of our planet.