noun the upper layer of the Earth's mantle, below the lithosphere, in which there is relatively low resistance to plastic flow and convection is thought to occur
The asthenosphere is a layer of the Earth's mantle beneath the lithosphere, where rocks are soft and partially molten, allowing for tectonic plate movement.
Geophysicists study the asthenosphere to understand the behavior of seismic waves and how they propagate through the Earth's interior.
In the study of plate tectonics, the asthenosphere plays a crucial role in the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates.
A writer may use the term 'asthenosphere' when discussing geological processes in their work, especially if they are writing about the Earth's layers or plate tectonics.
Geologists frequently use the term 'asthenosphere' when studying the Earth's structure and the movement of tectonic plates. It is a key concept in the field of geology.
Seismologists may refer to the asthenosphere when studying seismic waves and how they travel through the Earth's layers. Understanding the properties of the asthenosphere is important for interpreting seismic data.