BACK TO lithosphere

lithosphere vs. asthenosphere

[ lith-uh-sfeer ]
noun
  1. the solid portion of the earth (distinguished from atmosphere, hydrosphere).
  2. the crust and upper mantle of the earth.
[ as-then-uh-sfeer ]
noun
  1. the region below the lithosphere, variously estimated as being from fifty to several hundred miles (eighty-five to several hundred kilometers) thick, in which the rock is less rigid than that above and below but rigid enough to transmit transverse seismic waves.

Compare More Commonly Confused Words