division of lithosphere
The crust and the upper mantle are a geological part of the earth called the lithosphere. There are 2 parts of the lithosphere: the oceanic lithosphere, which is made up of land underneath water, and the continental lithosphere, which is the the part made of just land. The lithosphere lies on top of the asthenosphere. The lithosphere is made up of tectonic plates, which are pieces of land floating on the lithosphere.
The crust is the outermost rocky layer, based on division by chemistry. The lithosphere is the outer rocky shell of the Earth, based on the physical state of the material (brittle). The lithosphere is a combination of the crust, and the brittle uppermost mantle.
No, oceanic lithosphere contains more mafic rocks compared to continental lithosphere. Oceanic lithosphere is mainly composed of basalt, which is a mafic rock, whereas continental lithosphere is composed of a variety of rock types, including granitic rocks which are more felsic in composition.
The density of the continental (granitic) lithosphere is lower than oceanic (basaltic) lithosphere. Consequently, due to buoyancy, the continental crust rides above the oceanic lithosphere and thus is not subducted. However, it is thought that pieces of the continental lithosphere break off and are subducted along with the oceanic lithosphere.
The compositional layers refer to the division of the Earth based on the chemical makeup of the layers, such as the crust, mantle, and core. On the other hand, the physical layers are based on the mechanical properties, like the lithosphere (rigid outer layer) and asthenosphere (partially molten layer beneath the lithosphere).
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.
Geographical activities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes form the basis of this division.