Question

Describe the relationship of the Earth’s lithosphere to the asthenosphere. The asthenosphere is composed of rigid plates that “float” on top of the lithosphere. The lithosphere is composed of rigid plates that “float” on top of the asthenosphere. The lithosphere is a solid wall around the asthenosphere, and they move as one unit. The asthenosphere is found in the Earth’s core and is protected by the lithosphere.

Answer 1

Asthenosphere, zone of Earth’s mantle lying beneath the lithosphere and believed to be much hotter and more fluid than the lithosphere. The asthenosphere extends from about 100 km (60 miles) to about 700 km (450 miles) below Earth’s surface.The asthenosphere is almost solid, although some of its regions could be molten. Both the lithosphere and asthenosphere make up the mantle.