Question

The earth's lithosphere can be broken down into how many components?

1) 1
2) 2
3) 3
4) 4

Answer 1

The Earth's lithosphere is composed of two components: the crust and the uppermost mantle, both behaving as a brittle, rigid solid.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Earth's lithosphere can be broken down into two main components: the crust and the upper portion of the mantle that behaves as a brittle, rigid solid. The term lithosphere specifically refers to the outermost mechanical layer and includes both the crust and the uppermost mantle. It is approximately 100 kilometers thick and is the rigid part responsible for tectonic activities such as earthquakes. On the other hand, the asthenosphere is the partially molten upper mantle material beneath the lithosphere that behaves plastically and can flow, playing a crucial role in plate tectonics. Thus, when considering the mechanical divisions of the Earth's interior, the lithosphere can be said to be broken down into two primary components.