Here's why:
* The Earth's structure: The Earth is made up of several layers:
* Crust: The outermost, thin, and rocky layer. It's divided into oceanic and continental crust.
* Mantle: A thick layer of mostly solid rock, but it behaves like a very viscous fluid over long periods.
* Outer Core: A liquid layer of iron and nickel.
* Inner Core: A solid ball of iron and nickel, despite the incredibly high temperatures.
* Solidity vs. Rigidity: While the mantle is mostly solid, it's not rigid like the crust. It can flow slowly over millions of years, allowing tectonic plates to move.
In conclusion: The Earth's crust is the outermost solid layer, but the mantle also contains solid rock, though it behaves like a viscous fluid over geological time.