lithosphere

[ lith-uh-sfeer ]

noun

, Geology.

1. the solid portion of the earth ( atmosphere, hydrosphere ).
2. the crust and upper mantle of the earth.

lithosphere

/ ˈlɪθəˌsfɪə /

noun

1. the rigid outer layer of the earth, having an average thickness of about 75 km and comprising the earth's crust and the solid part of the mantle above the asthenosphere

lithosphere

/ lĭth′ə-sfîr′ /

1. The outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. It is about 55 km (34 mi) thick beneath the oceans and up to about 200 km (124 mi) thick beneath the continents. The high velocity with which seismic waves propagate through the lithosphere suggests that it is completely solid.
2. Compare asthenosphere

lithosphere

1. The outer layer of the Earth , comprising the crust and the upper part of the mantle . The lithosphere is about sixty miles thick.

Other Words From

• lith·o·spher·ic [lith-, uh, -, sfer, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithosphere¹

First recorded in 1885–90; litho- + -sphere

Example Sentences

Fault lines are the visible boundaries on the planet's surface where the rigid plates that make up the Earth's lithosphere brush against each another.

From Science Daily

The group published its findings March 1 in the scientific journal Lithosphere.

From Science Daily

Our planet's lithosphere is broken into several tectonic plates.

From Science Daily

Based on numerical modeling, their results suggest that this water has been confined within the lithosphere for an extensive period of 1.5-5 million years.

From Science Daily

"We experimentally determined the seismic wave attenuation characteristics, parameters for ascertaining the softness of the lithosphere and asthenosphere, under high temperature and pressure using our short-period oscillation generation technology," explains Prof. Yoshino.

From Science Daily