6. lithosphere

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The Lithosphere is a combination of the sections of Earth. The Earth has 3 definite layers: the Core, the Mantle, and the Crust. The Crust includes the oceans and the continents. The Lithosphere contains the Crust and the upper area of the Mantle. The Average depth of the lithosphere is about 60 miles. The Lithosphere is separated into plates, also known as, the Lithospheric Plates, and are identified in the Theory of Plate Tectonics.

The term Lithosphere is also used when describing the spheres of Earth. The fives sphere are the Lithosphere, the Hydrosphere, the Biosphere, and the Atmosphere. In this case, Lithosphere refers to all of the rocks, minerals, and solids on Earth.

National Geographic USGS Wheeling Jesuit University/NASA-supported Classroom of the Future

Lexi Pickens