asthenosphere
Soft rock layer
The asthenosphere is a layer of Earth's upper mantle, lying beneath the rigid lithosphere.
Unlike the brittle rock above it, the asthenosphere is partially molten and flows slowly over geological time, allowing tectonic plates to drift across its surface.
The word combines Greek roots meaning "weak sphere."
Thick and slow-flowing
- ductileAble to deform permanently
- viscoelasticBoth liquid and solid-like
- plasticCapable of being molded
- creepStealthy, slow movement
flow · deformable · yielding · malleable · pliable · viscosity · ductility · partial melting
Heat transfer via motion
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- isostasyGravitational balance of landmasses
- continental driftGradual landmass repositioning
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
uplift · subsidence · plate boundary · mid-ocean ridge · hotspot · geodynamics
Green igneous rock mineral
- pyroxeneRock-forming silicate group
- silicateOxygen-bound crystal compound
- magmaMolten rock underground
- garnetRed semiprecious stone
mineral · molten · volatile · water content
Atmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- crustHard outer layer
- mantleCovering or wrap
- substratumFoundational layer beneath
- depthDistance below surface
boundary · layer · earth's interior · thickness · base · transition zone
Movement of thermal energy
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- melting pointLiquefaction threshold temperature
- conductionHeat transfer through contact
Transverse seismic vibration
- P-waveLongitudinal seismic wave
- wave speedPropagation rate of oscillations
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- seismic waveEnergy moving through rock
viscous
Thick and slow-flowing
- ductileAble to deform permanently
- viscoelasticBoth liquid and solid-like
- plasticCapable of being molded
creep · flow · deformable · yielding · malleable · pliable · viscosity · ductility · partial melting · convecting
convection
Heat transfer via motion
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- isostasyGravitational balance of landmasses
- continental driftGradual landmass repositioning
buoyancy · uplift · subsidence · plate boundary · mid-ocean ridge · hotspot · geodynamics
olivine
Green igneous rock mineral
- pyroxeneRock-forming silicate group
- silicateOxygen-bound crystal compound
- magmaMolten rock underground
garnet · mineral · molten · volatile · water content
mesosphere
Atmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- crustHard outer layer
- mantleCovering or wrap
- substratumFoundational layer beneath
depth · boundary · layer · earth's interior · thickness · base · transition zone
heat flow
Movement of thermal energy
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- melting pointLiquefaction threshold temperature
conduction · thermal energy · solidus · heat transfer · cooling
S-wave
Transverse seismic vibration
- P-waveLongitudinal seismic wave
- wave speedPropagation rate of oscillations
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- planetary scienceplanetary cores, planet formation, planetary formation, planetary rings, atmospheres
- plate tectonicstectonic plates, plate tectonics, plate boundaries, subduction, subduction zones
- Earth's interiorcrust, mantle, core, inner core, outer core
- geophysicsearthquake, earthquakes, seismology, seismic waves, seismograph
- tectonicsplate tectonics, tectonic plates, tectonic plate, subduction, plate boundaries
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
asthenospherelithosphere
Crust plus upper mantle
tectonic plates · crust · inner core · outer core · solid rock
atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, geosphere, neurasthenia