asthenosphere

noun

Meaning

The highly viscous, mechanically weak, and ductile region of the upper mantle of the Earth.

Examples

The movement of tectonic plates is driven by convection currents circulating within the asthenosphere.
Because the asthenosphere is partially molten, it allows the overlying lithosphere to glide across its surface.

Synonyms: mantle, upper mantle, plastic layer, ductile zone

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asthenosphere

noun

Pronunciation: /æsˈθiːnəˌsfɪər/

Definition

The highly viscous, mechanically weak, and ductile region of the upper mantle of the Earth.

Examples

The movement of tectonic plates is driven by convection currents circulating within the asthenosphere.
Because the asthenosphere is partially molten, it allows the overlying lithosphere to glide across its surface.

Synonyms of asthenosphere

Words with a similar meaning to asthenosphere:

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