lithosphere

lith·o·sphere  (lth-sfîr)

n.

The outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle, approximately 100 km (62 mi.) thick.

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lithosphere  (lth-sfîr) 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. Compare asthenosphereatmospherehydrosphere

lithosphere

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lithosphere

the solid part of the earth, as contrasted with the atmosphere and hydrosphere.

See also: Earth

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

lithosphere - the solid part of the earth consisting of the crust and outer mantle geosphere layer - a relatively thin sheetlike expanse or region lying over or under another crust, Earth's crust - the outer layer of the Earth earth, globe, world - the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on; "the Earth moves around the sun"; "he sailed around the world" mantle - the layer of the earth between the crust and the core Earth's surface, surface - the outermost level of the land or sea; "earthquakes originate far below the surface"; "three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water"