Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

Which layer of Earth contains the rigid lithosphere?

1. Inner core

2. Outer core

3. Crust

4. Asthenosphere

The correct answer is: Crust

The correct answer is that the crust is the layer of Earth that contains the rigid lithosphere. The lithosphere is composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle, which are rigid and brittle compared to the underlying layers. The lithosphere is significant because it forms the tectonic plates that float on the more pliable asthenosphere beneath. The asthenosphere allows for the movement of these tectonic plates through convection currents, but it is less rigid than the lithosphere. Understanding the properties of the crust and the lithosphere is essential for studying geological processes such as earthquakes, mountain formation, and plate tectonics. The inner core is a solid layer of iron and nickel, while the outer core is a liquid layer that surrounds it. These layers do not contain the lithosphere, as they are significantly deeper within the Earth and do not exhibit the rigid characteristics attributed to the lithosphere.