Entity: LITHOSPHERE
The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of Earth, including the brittle upper portion of the mantle and the crust, composed of rock essentially like that exposed at the surface.
LITHOSPHERE
Etymology
The term 'lithosphere' is derived from the Ancient Greek words 'líthos' meaning 'rocky' and 'sphaíra' meaning 'sphere'.
Definition
The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of Earth, including the brittle upper portion of the mantle and the crust, composed of rock essentially like that exposed at the surface.
Historical Context
The concept of the lithosphere was developed to explain the outermost layer of terrestrial planets and natural satellites, with a focus on the Earth's composition.
Cultural Significance
The Earth's lithosphere is broken into continental plates that move over time, causing earthquakes when they interact. This geological phenomenon has shaped the landscape and influenced human civilizations.
Related Concepts
- Asthenosphere: The partially molten layer beneath the lithosphere.
- Plate Tectonics: The theory explaining the movement of lithospheric plates.
See Also
The rigid, outermost rocky shell of a terrestrial planet or natural satellite, consisting of the crust and the lithospheric mantle.