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The asthenosphere (from Ancient Greek ἀσθενός (asthenós) 'without strength') is the mechanically weak [1] and ductile region of the upper mantle of Earth. It lies below the lithosphere , at a depth between c. 80 and 200 km (50 and 120 mi) below the surface, and extends as deep as 700 km (430 mi).
Earth's inner structure can be described both chemically (crust, mantle, and core) and mechanically. The lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary lies between Earth's cooler, rigid lithosphere and the warmer, ductile asthenosphere. The actual depth of the boundary is still a topic of debate and study, although it is known to vary according to the ...
Below the asthenosphere, the mantle is again relatively rigid. The Earth's mantle is divided into three major layers defined by sudden changes in seismic velocity: [6] the upper mantle (starting at the Moho, or base of the crust around 7 to 35 km [4.3 to 21.7 mi] downward to 410 km [250 mi]) [7]
The pressure at the bottom of the mantle is ≈140 GPa (1.4 Matm). [24] The mantle is composed of silicate rocks richer in iron and magnesium than the overlying crust. [25] Although solid, the mantle's extremely hot silicate material can flow over very long timescales. [26] Convection of the mantle propels the motion of the tectonic plates in the
The modern understanding of the Earth's upper mantle is that there are two distinct components - the lithospheric part and the asthenosphere. The lithosphere, which includes the continental plates , acts as a brittle solid whereas the asthenosphere is hotter and weaker due to mantle convection.
This thickening occurs by conductive cooling, which converts hot asthenosphere into lithospheric mantle and causes the oceanic lithosphere to become increasingly thick and dense with age. In fact, oceanic lithosphere is a thermal boundary layer for the convection [10] in the mantle. The thickness of the mantle part of the oceanic lithosphere ...
Mantle convection is the very slow creep of Earth's solid silicate mantle as convection currents carry heat from the interior to the planet's surface. [2] [3] Mantle convection causes tectonic plates to move around the Earth's surface. [4] The Earth's lithosphere rides atop the asthenosphere, and the two form the components of the upper mantle ...
The low-velocity zone (LVZ) occurs close to the boundary between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere in the upper mantle. It is characterized by unusually low seismic shear wave velocity compared to the surrounding depth intervals. This range of depths also corresponds to anomalously high electrical conductivity.