Differences between the Earths’ Lithosphere and Asthenosphere

Our World i.e. Earth, is the third planet from the sun and the only planet known to maintain life. This layer that
maintains life on earth is called the lithosphere. The Lithosphere is composed of the crust and upper most solid
mantle. While the Asthenosphere, which lies beneath the lithosphere, is composed of the upper most weaker
part of the mantle. As we move from the lithosphere to the asthenosphere the temperature increases. This
increase in temperature as well as extreme pressure causes rocks to become plastic. In time these semi molten
rocks will flow. The aforementioned occurrence, at a certain depth and temperature gives rise to the
asthenosphere layer. These two layers are crucial due to the mechanical changes that occur within these layers,
as well their effects on society. Their differences and interactions will be further discussed in the following
article.

History/Formation

The lithosphere concept began in 1911 by A. E. H. Love, and was further developed by other scientists such as
J. Barrell, and R. A. Daly[i]. Whereas the asthenosphere concept was proposed at a later stage in history i.e.
1926, and confirmed in 1960 by seismic waves resulting from the Great Chilean earthquake. They proposed
gravity anomalies over the continental crust, where a strong upper layer floated over a weak lower layer i.e.
asthenosphere. As time passed these ideas were expanded. However, the basis of the concept consisted of the
strong lithosphere which rested on the weak asthenosphere[ii].

Structure

The lithosphere consists of the crust and uppermost mantle (consisting largely of peridotite), which makes up
the rigid outer layer that is divided by tectonic plates (large slabs of rocky material). The movement (collision
and sliding past each other) of these tectonic plates is said to cause geologic events such as deep-sea rifts,
volcanoes, lava flows, and mountain building. The lithosphere is surrounded by the atmosphere above and the
asthenosphere below. Although the lithosphere is considered to be the most rigid of layers, it is also considered
elastic. However, its elasticity and ductility, is much less than the asthenosphere and is dependant on the stress,
temperature, and the earths curvature. This layer ranges from a depth of 80km to 250km below surface, and is
considered a cooler environment than its neighbour (asthenosphere), approximately 400 degrees Celsius[iii].

In contrast to the lithosphere, the asthenosphere is believed to be much hotter, i.e. between 300 to 500 degrees
Celsius. This is due to the asthenosphere being mostly solid with some regions containing partially molten rock.
Which contributes to asthenosphere being regarded as viscous and mechanically weak. Thus it is considered
more fluid in nature than the lithosphere which is its’ upper border, while its’ lower border is the mesosphere.
The asthenosphere may extend to a depth of 700km below the earths’ surface. Hot materials that make up the
mesosphere heat up the asthenosphere, causing melting of rocks (semi-fluid) in asthenosphere,  provided
temperatures are high enough. The semi fluid areas of the asthenosphere allow for movement of the tectonic
plates in the lithosphere[iv].

Chemical composition

The lithosphere is divided into two types, namely:

 Oceanic lithosphere – a denser oceanic crust, with an average density of 2.9 grams per cubic centimetre
  Continental lithosphere – a thicker crust that stretches 200km below the surface of the earth, with an
average density of 2.7 grams per cubic centimetre

The chemical composition of the lithosphere contains approximately 80 elements and 2000 minerals and
compounds, while the slush-like rock in the asthenosphere is made of  iron-magnesium silicates. This is almost
identical to the mesosphere layer. The oceanic crust is darker than the continental crust due to less silica, and
more iron and magnesium[v].

Plate tectonics/Activity

The lithosphere contains 15 major tectonic plates, namely:

1. North American
2. Nazca
3. Scotia
4. Caribbean
5. Antarctic
6. Eurasian
7. African
8. Indian
9. Australian
10. Pacific
11. Juan de Fuca
12. Philippine
13. Arabian
14. South American
15. Cocos

Convection caused by heat from lower layers of the earth, drives the asthenospheric flow, which causes the
tectonic plates in the lithosphere, to start to move. Tectonic activity occurs mostly at the boundaries of said
plates, resulting in collisions, sliding against each other, even tearing apart. Producing earthquakes, volcanoes,
orogeny, as well as ocean trenches. The activity in the asthenosphere under the oceanic crust, creates new crust.
By forcing the asthenosphere to the surface, at mid ocean ridges. When the molten rock extrudes, it cools,
forming the new crust. Convection force also causes the lithosphere plates at the ocean ridges to move apart[vi].

The Lithosphere – Asthenosphere boundary (LAB)

The LAB can be found between the cool lithosphere and warm asthenosphere. Therefore, represents a
rheological boundary, i.e. containing rheological properties such as thermal properties, chemical composition, 
extent of melt, and difference in grain size. LAB depicts the transition from hot mantle in the asthenosphere to
the colder and more rigid lithosphere above. The lithosphere is characterised by conductive heat transfer
whereas the asthenosphere is a boundary with advective heat transfer[vii].

Seismic waves moving through the LAB, travel faster across the lithosphere than the asthenosphere.
Accordingly wave speeds in some areas  are reduced by 5 to 10%, 30 to 120km (oceanic lithosphere). This is
due to the different densities and viscosity of the asthenosphere. The boundary (where seismic waves slow
down) is known as the Gutenberg discontinuity which is believed to be inter-related to the LAB, due to their
common depths. In oceanic lithosphere the LAB depth, can range between 50 to 140km, except at mid-oceanic
ridges where it isn’t any deeper than the new crust that is being formed. Continental lithosphere LAB depths are
a source of dispute, scientists estimate a depth ranging from 100km to 250km. Ultimately continental
lithosphere and the LAB in some older parts, are thicker as well as deeper. Suggesting that their depths are age
dependant[viii].

Comparison of the Lithosphere and Asthenosphere

Lithosphere Asthenosphere
The lithosphere concept was The asthenosphere concept was
proposed in 1911 proposed in 1926
Lithosphere is composed of the Asthenosphere is composed of
crust and upper most solid the upper most weaker part of
mantle the mantle
Lies beneath the atmosphere Lies beneath the lithosphere and
and above the asthenosphere above the mesosphere
The physical structure consists The physical structure is mostly
of a rigid outer layer that is solid with some regions
divided by tectonic plates. It is containing partially molten
regarded as rigid, brittle, and rock, which exhibits plastic
elastic. properties
Characterized as elastic and less Has a higher degree of ductility
ductile than the lithosphere
Ranges from a depth of 80km
Extends to a depth of 700km
and 200 km below the earths
below the earths’ surface
surface
Approximate temperature
Approximate temperature of
ranging from 300 to 500
400 degrees Celsius
degrees Celsius
Has a lower density than the Asthenosphere is denser than
asthenosphere the lithosphere
Allows for conductive heat Allows for advective heat
transfer transfer
Seismic waves travel 5 to 10%
Seismic waves travel at faster
slower in asthenosphere than in
speeds across lithosphere
lithosphere
Rocks are under much less Rocks are under immense
pressure forces pressure forces
Chemical composition consists Asthenosphere is mainly
of 80 elements and composed of iron-magnesium
approximately 2000 minerals silicates

Conclusion

The earth is composed of 5 physical layers namely; lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, and
inner core. This article focused on the first two layers, and their differences.  Which forms a part Geology;
the science that deals with the earths structure, history, and its’ processes. Geology facilitates study surrounding
some of humanities formidable issues, such as climate change, natural disasters (tsunamis, earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, landslides, etc.), as well as resource depletion (water, energy, mineral). The solutions to our
current environmental challenges require a knowledge of our earth structures and systems. This world is our
home. We are completely reliant on earth for our survival. Therefore it is only logical for us to understand our
environment in order to promote sustainable living.

How is the asthenosphere different from the lithosphere?

Question Date: 2013-01-21
Answer 1:

The difference between asthenosphere and lithosphere is how the

materials in these layers can flow. Rocks in the lithosphere are
"rigid", meaning that they can bend but they cannot flow. Rocks in
the asthenosphere are "plastic", meaning that they can flow in
response to deformation. Even though it can flow, the asthenosphere
is still made of solid (not liquid) rock; you can think of it kind of
like Silly Putty. What determines whether rocks act in a rigid
manner (bending or breaking) or a plastic manner (flowing) is
temperature. Deep in the Earth, hot rocks (above about 1300°C) can
flow, whereas cold rocks cannot. The lithosphere is broken up into
rigid plates that ride on top of the flowing asthenosphere. In terms of
chemical composition, there is no difference between the upper part
of the asthenosphere and the lower part of the lithosphere. In fact, if
the upper part of the asthenosphere cools down it becomes part of
the lithosphere.

In addition to layers with different mechanical properties

(lithosphere vs. asthenosphere), we can talk about layers with
different chemical composition. The outer most layer of the Earth is
the crust, which varies in thickness from about 7-70 km. Below that
is the mantle, which of made up of denser rocks than the crust. At a
depth of almost 3000 km, you reach the core, which is made of iron
and nickel and is even denser than the mantle. The lithosphere is
made up the crust plus the very upper part of the mantle, whereas the
asthenosphere is only upper mantle material.
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MECHANICAL PROPERTIES - 'LITHOSPHERE' AND 'ASTHENOSPHERE'

We may think we know what we mean by the Earth's 'tectonic plates', but there is more to a tectonic plate than
just 'crust'. A clue to this may be found in the other name for 'tectonic plate', which is 'lithospheric plate'.

It is not just the chemistry of rocks that may change with depth - their mechanical properties also change,
according to pressure and temperature. Both factors affect rock's mechanical strength, whatever its chemical
composition.

Lithospheric plates (continental and oceanic) above the asthenosphere.

Image courtesy of Pete Loader. 

As temperatures rise with depth, rocks reach temperatures that would cause them to melt if they were at the
surface. The rocks remain solid at depth despite their temperature because of the extreme pressures acting upon
them. However, they do become plastic. Subjected to immense forces, and with vast amounts of time, such
rocks will flow. 

Some substances display this property of solid creep even at the surface. Think, for example, of chocolate,
which in a warm room may flow and deform without melting. Substances like plasticine (potty putty) will also
flow under gravity, especially when warm. Pitch, used for roads, can be brittle when struck with a hammer, but
still flow very slowly, just as ice does when a glacier moves downhill. 
The temperature gradient of the Earth means that, at a certain depth in the upper mantle, peridotite will behave
like this too. This occurs when peridotite reaches 1300oC and gives rise to a layer called the asthenosphere,
where the rock is weaker than both overlying and underlying mantle. 

The rocks above the asthenosphere, being the uppermost mantle plus the overlying crust (either continental or
oceanic) behave mechanically as one, and comprise what geologists call the 'lithosphere'. The lithosphere
moves as one over the weaker, plastic asthenosphere. 

So, to a geologist the outermost shell of the Earth is the lithosphere, which is partly made of crust and partly
upper mantle (as defined by its composition), but which mechanically moves as a single unit.