The shell of rigid rock that makes up the earth's crust and the outer part of the mantle is called the
A)lithosphere.
B)asthenosphere.
C)thermosphere.
D)subduction zone.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term "lithosphere" specifically refers to the rigid outer layer of the Earth, made up of the crust and uppermost part of the mantle. This layer is solid and brittle, and is broken up into tectonic plates that interact with each other at plate boundaries.

Option B, asthenosphere, is the soft, weak layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere. Option C, thermosphere, is actually the uppermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, where temperatures increase sharply due to the absorption of solar radiation. Option D, subduction zone, refers to a boundary between tectonic plates in which one plate is forced beneath another, often causing earthquakes and volcanic activity.

The Shell of Rigid Rock That Makes Up the Earth's