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asthenosphere
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cross section of a tectonic plate Cross-sectional diagram illustrating plate tectonics, showing oceanic and continental crust moving over the asthenosphere. It highlights divergent boundaries at oceanic ridges where crust forms, convergent boundaries at trenches with subduction zones where crust is destroyed, and a transform boundary with a fault. Features such as island arcs, rising magma, and hotspots are labeled. Cross-sectional diagram of Earth's outer layers, showing oceanic and continental crust at the surface, the rigid lithosphere, the partially melted asthenosphere, and transitions from upper to lower mantle, with labeled depths and rock properties.
How and where does magma form on Earth?
How does plate tectonics change Earth's surface?

asthenosphere: References & Edit History

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Pub Med Central - Asthenosphere dynamics based on the H2O dependence of element diffusivity in olivine. Jan 16, 2026
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Pub Med Central - Asthenosphere dynamics based on the H2O dependence of element diffusivity in olivine. Oct 11, 2025
Add new Web site: Nature - Scientific Reports - Influence of the asthenosphere on earth dynamics and evolution. Feb 16, 2024
Add new Web site: Academia - On the origin of the asthenosphere. Apr 28, 2023
Article thoroughly revised. Apr 01, 2015
Diagram depicting the general parts of a tectonic plate added. Jan 11, 2013
New article added. Feb 19, 2009
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