General terms:
* Lithosphere: This refers to the rigid outer layer of Earth, which includes the crust and the uppermost mantle.
* Outermost layer: This is a more general term that could refer to the crust, but it doesn't specify the geological context.
* Surface: This refers to the very top layer of the Earth, but it doesn't specifically denote the geological structure.
More specific terms:
* Continental crust: This refers to the crust that makes up the continents.
* Oceanic crust: This refers to the crust that makes up the ocean floor.
The best alternative depends on the specific context of your writing.