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Earth_cutaway_schematic-en.png (494 × 309 pixels, file size: 25 KB, MIME type: image/png) This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons . Information from its description page there is shown below.
Earth's crust and mantle, Mohorovičić discontinuity between bottom of crust and solid uppermost mantle. Earth's mantle extends to a depth of 2,890 km (1,800 mi), making it the planet's thickest layer. [20] [This is 45% of the 6,371 km (3,959 mi) radius, and 83.7% of the volume - 0.6% of the volume is the crust].
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).
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]
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 ...
English: Schematic diagram showing the physical processes within the Earth’s upper mantle that lead to the generation of magma. A to D are different plate tectonic settings. The graphs show the geotherm (temperature curve inside the Earth, red) and the solidus (temperature where rock starts to melt, green).
Earth's mantle – The part of the interior of the planet Earth between the crust and the core. By diffusion of seismic waves Lithosphere – The rigid, outermost shell of a terrestrial-type planet or natural satellite that is defined by its rigid mechanical properties. Asthenosphere – The highly viscous, mechanically weak and ductile region ...
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.