Here's a breakdown:
* Lithosphere: This is the rigid outermost layer of the Earth, composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It's broken into tectonic plates that move and interact, causing earthquakes and volcanic activity.
* Crust: This is the thin, outermost layer of the Earth, made up of mostly igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It's divided into oceanic crust (thinner and denser) and continental crust (thicker and less dense).
* Mantle: This is the layer beneath the crust, primarily made of solid rock but behaving like a very viscous fluid over long periods. The upper mantle is part of the lithosphere, while the lower mantle is more fluid.
So, while the lithosphere is the most accurate answer, it's important to understand that it encompasses both the crust and the upper mantle.