The mechanically strong outer shell of a rocky planet, including crust and the colder upper mantle. It can form mobile plates in plate tectonics or a relatively stagnant lid. Its temperature, water content and damage affect its ability to yield.
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The lithosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth, comprising both the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is characterized by its rigidity and relatively low temperature compared to the underlying layers. The lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates, which are in constant motion due to the convective currents in the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath it. The lithosphere plays a crucial role in geological processes, including plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.