Lithospheric: meaning, definitions and examples

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lithospheric

 

[ ˌlɪθəˈsfɪrɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

geology science

Lithospheric refers to the outer rigid layer of the Earth, which includes the crust and the uppermost mantle. It is divided into tectonic plates that move over the more fluid asthenosphere beneath.

Synonyms

crustal, terrestrial

Examples of usage

  • The lithospheric plates are constantly shifting.
  • Earthquakes are caused by movements in the lithospheric plates.
  • The study of lithospheric dynamics is crucial for understanding seismic activity.

Translations

Translations of the word "lithospheric" in other languages:

🇵🇹 litosférico

🇮🇳 लिथोस्फेरिक

🇩🇪 lithospherisch

🇮🇩 litosfer

🇺🇦 літосферний

🇵🇱 litosferyczny

🇯🇵 リソスフェリック

🇫🇷 lithosphérique

🇪🇸 litosférico

🇹🇷 litosferik

🇰🇷 리토스피어릭

🇸🇦 الليتوسفيرية

🇨🇿 litosférický

🇸🇰 litosférický

🇨🇳 岩石圈的

🇸🇮 litospferski

🇮🇸 líthósfærískur

🇰🇿 литосфералық

🇬🇪 ლითოსფერიული

🇦🇿 litosferik

🇲🇽 litosférico

Etymology

The term 'lithosphere' is derived from the Greek words 'lithos', meaning 'stone', and 'sphaira', meaning 'sphere'. It was first introduced in geology in the 19th century to describe the solid outer layer of the Earth, separate from the hotter, more plastic layers beneath. As scientists studied the Earth's structure, they recognized the importance of the lithosphere in various geological processes, including plate tectonics, mountain building, and volcanism. Over time, the term evolved in usage, expanding to encompass the study of not just solid rock, but also the interactions between the lithosphere and other Earth's spheres, such as the hydrosphere and atmosphere.