The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of solid Earth,which includes
A) the crust plus the entire mantle.
B) only the oceanic crust.
C) the crust plus the uppermost mantle.
D) the crust plus the asthenosphere.
E) both the continental crust and the oceanic crust.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lithosphere includes the crust and the uppermost mantle, which together form a rigid outer layer that is divided into tectonic plates. The oceanic crust is part of the lithosphere, but so is the continental crust. The asthenosphere is a weak layer of the upper mantle beneath the lithosphere and is not part of the lithosphere itself. Therefore, choice C (the crust plus the uppermost mantle) is the best choice.

The Lithosphere Is the Rigid Outer Layer of Solid Earth,which