Which layer within the mantle is described as less rigid and behaving plastically over long time periods?
Answer
Asthenosphere
The asthenosphere is a distinct zone within the upper mantle characterized by its ability to flow slowly (plastic behavior), which is essential for driving plate tectonics.
#Videos
An Overview of Earth's Layers - YouTube
Related Questions
What physical sorting process established Earth's distinct concentric layers?What fundamental principle dictates how materials settled during Earth's initial melting phase?What elements primarily constituted the heaviest materials that sank to form the Earth's core?What is the physical state of the Earth's outer core?Which layer within the mantle is described as less rigid and behaving plastically over long time periods?What primary method do scientists use to map the internal boundaries and physical states of the Earth's inaccessible interior?The inability of S-waves (shear waves) to pass through a region definitively proved what about part of the core?What is the chemical composition that characterizes the Continental Crust?Elements that prefer bonding with iron, such as gold and platinum, are known as what, and where are they primarily located?What is the primary consequence of differentiation that is critical for maintaining Earth's habitability?