Lithosphere
The rigid, brittle outermost mechanical shell of Earth comprising the entire crust and uppermost solid mantle.
Governing formula
Elastic Thickness h_e ~ 10–200 km
SI unit
km (Lithospheric Thickness)
In depth
Divided into oceanic lithosphere (~5–100 km thick) and continental lithosphere (~100–250 km thick). Broken into major tectonic plates floating upon the ductile asthenosphere.
Examples in the real world
Oceanic lithosphere cooling, thickening, and increasing in density as it moves away from mid-ocean ridges.