lithosphere

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, which includes the crust and the upper part of the mantle. It is composed of solid rock and minerals, making it distinct from the softer, molten layers beneath it. The lithosphere is important because it supports landforms, such as mountains and valleys, and is where we find soil, minerals, and natural resources. Additionally, it is involved in geological processes like earthquakes and volcanic activity, as tectonic plates within the lithosphere move and interact with one another.