What is lithosphere?
What is Lithosphere?
The lithosphere is the solid outermost shell of the Earth that is composed of rocks, minerals, and soils. It includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle and is the part of the Earth's surface where humans and other living organisms exist.
Composition of Lithosphere:
The lithosphere is composed of several layers of rock and soil, including:
- Crust: The crust is the outermost layer of the lithosphere and is made up of solid rocks such as granite and basalt.
- Upper Mantle: The upper mantle is the layer beneath the crust and is made up of solid rock that is denser than the crust.
- Lower Mantle: The lower mantle is the layer beneath the upper mantle and is made up of solid rock that is even denser than the upper mantle.
Importance of Lithosphere:
The lithosphere is important for several reasons, including:
- It is the part of the Earth's surface where humans and other living organisms exist.
- It contains important minerals and resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
- It plays a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle, which affects the global climate.
- It is the site of many geological processes such as plate tectonics and volcanic activity.
Plate Tectonics and Lithosphere:
The lithosphere is broken up into several large plates that move and interact with each other. This movement is known as plate tectonics and is responsible for many geological features such as mountain ranges, ocean basins, and volcanoes.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the lithosphere is the solid outermost shell of the Earth that is composed of rocks, minerals, and soils. It is important for the existence of humans and other living organisms, contains important resources, and plays a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle. It is also the site of many geological processes such as plate tectonics and volcanic activity.
What is lithosphere?
The outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the solid . It is the outermost layer of the earth
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 6 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 6.