Diapositiva 1

1
UNIT6
The Earths structure
THE LITHOSPHERE ANDLITHOSPHERIC PLATES
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
2
UNIT6
The lithosphere and lithospheric plates
What is the lithosphere?

• The lithosphere is formed by the Earths crust
  and the upper part of the mantle (made up of hard
  rocks).
• Its thickness varies, from 70 km under the
  oceans up to 200 km in the continents.
• There are two types of lithosphere the
  continental lithosphere and the oceanic
  lithosphere.

Continentallithosphere
Oceaniclithosphere
Crust
Lithosphere
Hardmantle
Natural Science 2. Secondary Education
3
UNIT6
The lithosphere and lithospheric plates
Lithospheric plates

• The lithosphere is not one continuous surface
  it is divided into a number of pieces, called
  lithospheric plates, or tectonic plates.
• Plate boundaries can be easily identified
  because they coincide with notable features of
  the lithosphere like oceanic ridges, oceanic
  trenches and large mountain ranges.

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education