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What does the lithosphere provide us?

seo-qna
Last updated date: 03rd May 2024
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Answer
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Hint: The crust and uppermost mantle, which make up the Earth's hard and unyielding outer layer, make up the lithosphere. The lithosphere is separated into movable tectonic plates and is not a continuous layer.

Complete answer:
Lithosphere - The lithosphere is the earth's uppermost crust, on which our continents and ocean basins rest. The lithosphere has a thickness of 35 to 50 kilometers in continental areas, but it thins out to 6 to 12 kilometres beneath ocean beds. Its thickness in the high alpine range is estimated to be around 60 kilometres.

Importance of Lithosphere -
The lithosphere is made up of several types of rocks, including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, and it aids in the provision of nutrients to plants. The mantle, which is located between the core and the crust, is made up of molten rock known as magma that is constantly moving due to convection currents.

Types of Lithosphere –
Oceanic and continental lithospheres are two types of the lithosphere. Oceanic lithosphere is found in the ocean basins and is related to oceanic crust (which has a mean density of roughly 2.9 grammes per cubic centimetre). The continents and continental shelves are underlain by the continental lithosphere, which is associated with continental crust (which has a mean density of roughly 2.7 grammes per cubic centimetre).

Lithosphere provide us - Forests, grasslands for grazing, agriculture, and human settlements are all provided by the lithosphere, which is also a rich supply of minerals.

Note: The asthenosphere lies beneath the lithosphere. The heat from the core melts the rocks in the asthenosphere. The asthenosphere's melting rock moves like a thick, sticky liquid. Scientists have given the transition from the lithosphere to the asthenosphere a name.