Which of these statements best describes the lithosphere?
A)The lithosphere is the layer in the interior of the Earth that is just below the crust.
B)The lithosphere is composed of the crust and the rigid part of the upper mantle.
C)The lithosphere is a low-density part of the upper mantle.
D)The lithosphere consists solely of the crust.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lithosphere is composed of the crust and the rigid part of the upper mantle. It is the outermost solid shell of the Earth and is broken up into tectonic plates that move and interact with each other. Option A is incorrect because the lithosphere includes part of the upper mantle, not just the interior layer below the crust. Option C is incorrect because the lithosphere is a high-density layer compared to the lower mantle. Option D is incorrect because the lithosphere includes both the crust and upper mantle.

Which of These Statements Best Describes the Lithosphere