Final answer:
The lithosphere consists of 1. continental crust and oceanic crust, with continental crust made up of granite-like rocks and being less dense, and oceanic crust composed of denser basalt. These crust types underlie all landmasses and ocean basins, respectively, and are fundamental to the theory of plate tectonics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lithosphere is composed of two types of crust: 1. continental crust and oceanic crust. The continental crust is generally composed of various types of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks with an average composition similar to granite, which makes it less dense and thicker, causing it to rise higher on the mantle.
Conversely, the oceanic crust is mainly composed of basalt, a volcanic rock that is denser and thinner, causing it to form basins that fill with water to become the Earth's oceans.
The continental crust and oceanic crust differ significantly in both physical and chemical properties, and they are the uppermost layers of the Earth, covering 45% and 55% of the Earth's surface, respectively. These crust types are critical to the geological phenomena of plate tectonics, affecting the formation of mountains, ocean floors, and the occurrence of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.