Question

question 3 of 15
what is the mechanical layer of earth that contains the tectonic plates?

a. lithosphere
b. mantle
c. crust
d. asthenosphere

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall Earth's mechanical layers:

• The lithosphere is the rigid, outermost mechanical layer that includes the crust and the upper part of the mantle, and it is broken into tectonic plates.
• The mantle is a viscous layer below the lithosphere, not the layer with tectonic plates.
• The crust is part of the lithosphere but not the entire layer containing tectonic plates.
• The asthenosphere is a ductile layer below the lithosphere, where convection occurs, not the layer with tectonic plates.

So the correct option is the one corresponding to the lithosphere.

Answer:

A. Lithosphere