Geography Chapters

1. Continents and Oceans2. Biosphere3. Lithosphere4. Hydrosphere5. Atmosphere6. Latitudes and Longitudes7. Different Heat Zones of the Earth8. Longitudes and Time Zones9. International Date Line10. Motion of the Earth11. Effect of the Tilted Axis on Day and Night12. The Atmosphere (Composition and Layers)13. Weather and Climate14. Atmospheric Pressure15. Internal Structure of the Earth16. Rocks17. Earthquakes and Volcanoes18. Various Landforms (Mountains, Plateaus, Plains, Grasslands)19. Landforms Created by River System20. Landforms Created by Glacier21. Landforms Created by Wind22. Landforms Created by Groundwater23. The Indian Subcontinent Position, Extent, and Physical Features24. Climatic Diversity in the Indian Subcontinent25. Soil Resources of the Indian Subcontinent26. Agriculture in India27. Land Use Pattern of India28. Water Resources and Their Utilization in India29. Multipurpose River Valley Projects30. Transport in India31. Rivers of India

Lithosphere

“The lithosphere is the solid, outermost layer of the Earth that includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.”

Definition of Lithosphere

The lithosphere is the rigid outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle. It extends up to a depth of about 100 kilometers from the Earth’s surface.

Flow Diagram: Structure of Lithosphere

Lithosphere
Continental Crust
Granite rocks, less dense
Oceanic Crust
Basaltic rocks, more dense
Upper Mantle
Solid & semi-solid layer

Characteristics of Lithosphere

  • It includes mountains, valleys, continents, and ocean basins.
  • Thickness varies: ~35 km under continents, ~5-10 km under oceans.
  • Broken into tectonic plates.
  • Plays a role in natural phenomena like earthquakes and volcanoes.

Processes Shaping the Lithosphere

Forces Acting on Lithosphere
Endogenic Forces
Earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building
Exogenic Forces
Weathering, erosion, deposition

Tectonic Plates

  • The lithosphere is divided into large and small plates called tectonic plates.
  • Major plates include: Pacific Plate, Eurasian Plate, Indo-Australian Plate, African Plate, etc.
  • Movement of these plates causes earthquakes and the formation of mountains.

Importance of Lithosphere

  • Provides soil for agriculture.
  • Supports human settlements.
  • Source of minerals and fossil fuels.
  • Home to land ecosystems.

Previous Year Questions

  • SSC CGL 2020: The rigid outer layer of the Earth is called?
  • Lithosphere
  • RRB NTPC 2016: What type of rocks make up the oceanic crust?
  • Basaltic rocks
  • SSC CHSL 2021: Which layer lies above the mantle?
  • Crust
  • HSSC CET 2022: What causes earthquakes?
  • Movement of tectonic plates
  • SSC MTS 2023: Which part of the Earth is the source of minerals?
  • Lithosphere
  • RRB Group D 2018: Which layer contains rocks, soil, and minerals?
  • Lithosphere
  • SSC JE 2017: What is the average thickness of continental crust?
  • 35 km
  • SSC CPO 2019: Which plate is responsible for Himalayan mountain formation?
  • Indo-Australian plate
  • SSC GD 2022: Which layer supports terrestrial life?
  • Lithosphere
  • SSC CGL 2018: What is the function of the lithosphere?
  • Supports ecosystems and human activities
Note: The lithosphere = Crust + Upper mantle. It is divided into tectonic plates that move due to mantle convection.
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