1. The Crust: This is the outermost layer of Earth, which is relatively thin and composed of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It's divided into the oceanic crust (thinner and denser) and the continental crust (thicker and less dense).
2. The Uppermost Part of the Mantle: This is a rigid, solid layer of the mantle called the lithospheric mantle. This layer is denser than the crust, but still relatively rigid and strong due to the immense pressure.
Together, the crust and the lithospheric mantle form the rigid, outermost layer of Earth known as the lithosphere. This layer is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates that move and interact, leading to phenomena like earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.
