The lithosphere is one of Earth's layers. What makes up the lithosphere?
The lithosphere is made up of the Earth's crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is composed of solid rock and is the outermost layer of the Earth.
The lithosphere is the outermost layer of Earth and is composed of two main components: the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. The crust itself is divided into two types: continental crust and oceanic crust.
To understand what makes up the lithosphere, we can follow these steps:
1. Start by determining the Earth's layers: Earth is divided into several layers, including the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust.
2. Focus on the crust: The crust is the thinnest layer of Earth, and it is divided into two types: continental and oceanic crust.
3. Continental crust: This is the thicker type of crust that forms the continents and extends beneath the shallow waters surrounding them. It primarily consists of rocks such as granite.
4. Oceanic crust: This is the thinner type of crust found beneath the ocean basins. It is mainly composed of rocks called basalt.
5. Uppermost mantle: The lithosphere also includes the uppermost part of the mantle, which is located beneath the crust. While the mantle itself is primarily composed of solid rock, the uppermost portion is rigid and forms part of the lithosphere.
In summary, the lithosphere is made up of both the continental and oceanic crusts, as well as the uppermost part of the mantle.