Asthenosphere

Pronunciation: /æsˈθiːnəˌsfɪər/

Definitions of asthenosphere

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

Example Sentences

A1 The asthenosphere is a layer of the Earth's mantle.

A2 Scientists believe that convection currents in the asthenosphere play a role in plate tectonics.

B1 The asthenosphere is composed of semi-solid rock that flows slowly over time.

B2 The movement of the asthenosphere is thought to be responsible for the movement of tectonic plates.

C1 Geologists study the properties of the asthenosphere to better understand the dynamics of the Earth's lithosphere.

C2 The asthenosphere is a key component in the theory of plate tectonics and the movement of continents.

Examples of asthenosphere in a Sentence

formal The asthenosphere is a layer of the Earth's mantle that lies beneath the lithosphere.

informal I heard that the asthenosphere is like a squishy layer underneath the hard outer shell of the Earth.

slang The asthenosphere is basically the Earth's gooey center.

figurative Just like the asthenosphere allows the tectonic plates to move, sometimes we need to be flexible and adaptable in our own lives.

Grammatical Forms of asthenosphere

• plural: asthenospheres
• comparative: more asthenospheric
• superlative: most asthenospheric
• present tense: asthenosphere
• future tense: will asthenosphere
• perfect tense: has asthenosphered
• continuous tense: is asthenosphering
• singular: asthenosphere
• positive degree: asthenosphere
• infinitive: to asthenosphere
• gerund: asthenosphering
• participle: asthenosphered

Origin and Evolution of asthenosphere

First Known Use: 1926 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'asthenosphere' originated from the Greek words 'asthenes' meaning weak and 'sphaira' meaning sphere.

Evolution of the word: The term was first used in the field of geology to describe the semi-fluid layer of the Earth's upper mantle, which was believed to be weak and capable of flow over long periods of time. The concept of the asthenosphere has since been refined and further studied in the field of geophysics.