Author Question: Contrast the physical characteristics of the asthenosphere and the lithosphere. What will be an ... (Read 22 times)

xroflmao

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 515
Contrast the physical characteristics of the asthenosphere and the lithosphere.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Chinook winds, land-sea breezes and Santa Ana winds are examples of ________ circulations.
 
  A) synoptic B) macroscale C) vortex D) microscale E) mesoscale



alvinum

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 317
Answer to Question 1

The top portion of the upper mantle is part of the stiff lithosphere, and beneath that is the weaker asthenosphere. The lithosphere consists of the entire crust and uppermost mantle and forms Earth's relatively cool, rigid outer shell. It averages approximately 100 kilometers in thickness, but the lithosphere is more than 250 kilometers thick below the oldest portions of the continents. Beneath this stiff layer to a depth of about 350 kilometers lies the soft, comparatively weak asthenosphere. The top portion of the asthenosphere has a temperature/pressure regime that results in a small amount of melting. Within this very weak zone, the asthenosphere and lithosphere are mechanically detached from each other. The result is that the lithosphere is able to move independently of the asthenosphere.

Answer to Question 2

E



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

Bacteria have flourished on the earth for over three billion years. They were the first life forms on the planet.

Did you know?

Though methadone is often used to treat dependency on other opioids, the drug itself can be abused. Crushing or snorting methadone can achieve the opiate "rush" desired by addicts. Improper use such as these can lead to a dangerous dependency on methadone. This drug now accounts for nearly one-third of opioid-related deaths.

Did you know?

The average older adult in the United States takes five prescription drugs per day. Half of these drugs contain a sedative. Alcohol should therefore be avoided by most senior citizens because of the dangerous interactions between alcohol and sedatives.

Did you know?

Children of people with alcoholism are more inclined to drink alcohol or use hard drugs. In fact, they are 400 times more likely to use hard drugs than those who do not have a family history of alcohol addiction.

Did you know?

To maintain good kidney function, you should drink at least 3 quarts of water daily. Water dilutes urine and helps prevent concentrations of salts and minerals that can lead to kidney stone formation. Chronic dehydration is a major contributor to the development of kidney stones.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library