The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is divided into tectonic plates that move and interact at their boundaries, driving geological processes such as earthquakes, volcanism, and mountain building. The lithosphere is crucial in understanding plate tectonics and Earth’s dynamic processes.
Reference: Turcotte, D. L., & Schubert, G. (2002). “Geodynamics.” Cambridge University Press.