Asthenosphere | Geology - Encyclopedia Britannica

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Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos asthenosphere Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics Images & Videos cross section of a tectonic plate crustal generation and destruction Earth's lithosphere and upper mantle How and where does magma form on Earth? How does plate tectonics change Earth's surface? Britannica AI Icon Contents Science Earth Science, Geologic Time & Fossils Earth Sciences CITE verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/asthenosphere Feedback External Websites Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback

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External Websites
  • National Center for Biotechnology Information - Pub Med Central - Asthenosphere dynamics based on the H2O dependence of element diffusivity in olivine
  • Nature - Scientific Reports - Influence of the asthenosphere on earth dynamics and evolution
cross section of a tectonic plate
cross section of a tectonic plate A tectonic plate in cross section featuring subduction zones, oceanic and continental crust, the lithosphere, and the asthenosphere. (more)
asthenosphere geology Ask Anything Homework Help Also known as: low velocity zone Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Jan. 16, 2026 •History Britannica AI Icon Britannica AI Ask Anything Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything

asthenosphere, zone of Earth’s mantle lying beneath the lithosphere and believed to be much hotter and more fluid than the lithosphere. The asthenosphere extends from about 100 km (60 miles) to about 700 km (450 miles) below Earth’s surface.

Related Topics: hotspot lithosphere Earth’s mantle (Show more) On the Web: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Pub Med Central - Asthenosphere dynamics based on the H2O dependence of element diffusivity in olivine (Jan. 16, 2026) (Show more) See all related content
crustal generation and destruction
crustal generation and destructionThree-dimensional diagram showing crustal generation and destruction according to the theory of plate tectonics; included are the three kinds of plate boundaries—divergent, convergent (or collision), and strike-slip (or transform).(more)

Heat from deep within Earth is thought to keep the asthenosphere malleable, lubricating the undersides of Earth’s tectonic plates and allowing them to move. Convection currents generated within the asthenosphere push magma upward through volcanic vents and spreading centres to create new crust. Convection currents also stress the lithosphere above, and the cracking that often results manifests as earthquakes. According to the theory of plate tectonics, the asthenosphere is the repository for older and denser parts of the lithosphere that are dragged downward in subduction zones.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.

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