Functional Layers of Earth

When comparing the lithosphere to the asthenosphere, which statement is correct?

• The asthenosphere is a thin layer that sits on top of the lithosphere.

• The asthenosphere is part of the crust, and the lithosphere is part of the mantle.

• The lithosphere is brittle and rigid, and the asthenosphere is plastic-like and flowing

• The lithosphere is a layer of flowing hot magma that supports the solid thin layer of the asthenosphere.

A student records observations about two different layers of the Earth as shown in the table. What do Layers 1 and 2 represent?

Layer Observation

1 Rocks in this layer are rigid and can bend but

not flow

2 Rocks in this layer are plastic and can flow in

response to any deformation

• Layer 1: asthenosphere; Layer 2: continental crust

• Layer 1: continental crust; Layer 2: lithosphere

• Layer 1: asthenosphere; Layer 2: lithosphere

• Layer 1: lithosphere; Layer 2: asthenosphere

What factor causes the differences in the physical nature of rocks in the lithosphere and the asthenosphere?

• The density of the lithosphere is higher than the asthenosphere.

• The pressure is lower in the asthenosphere than in the lithosphere.

• The thickness of the asthenosphere is less than the lithosphere.

• The temperature is lower in the lithosphere than in the asthenosphere.

What part of the Earth's interior is liquid?

• crust

• inner core

• mantle

• outer core

Which statement is true about the Earth's crust?

• It is uniform in thickness.

• It floats above a layer of hot magma

• It consists mostly of iron and nickel

• It has a higher density than the core.

Which layer of the Earth would best be described as "brittle and rigid"?

• asthenosphere

• inner core

• lithosphere

• outer core

Which description identifies the lithosphere?

• made up of the upper mantle and composed of cool, rigid rocks

• made up of the upper mantle and composed of rocks that behave like plastic

• made up of the crust and a portion of the upper mantle and composed of rocks that are rigid

• made up of the crust and a portion of the upper mantle and composed of rocks capable of gradual flow

Which layer of the Earth would best be described as "plastic and flowing"?

• asthenosphere

• atmosphere

• lithosphere

• troposphere

Which is the order of the Earth's interior from center to surface?

• crust, outer core, mantle, inner core

• crust, mantle, inner core, outer core

• inner core, outer core, mantle, crust

• crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

Which is true about the Earth's crust?

• It is uniform in thickness.

• It floats above a layer of hot magma.

• It consists mostly of iron and nickel.

• It has a higher density than the core.