* Hotter: The asthenosphere is definitely hotter than the lower lithosphere. This is because it's located deeper within the Earth, where temperatures are higher.

* More Pliable: While the asthenosphere is considered more pliable, it's not because it's necessarily softer. Instead, the rocks in the asthenosphere are closer to their melting point due to the high temperatures. This makes them behave more like a viscous fluid, allowing them to deform slowly over long periods.

Important Note: The asthenosphere is not molten like magma. It's still solid rock, but it's ductile, meaning it can flow and change shape under pressure.

Here's a simplified breakdown:

* Lower Lithosphere: Rigid, strong, solid rock.

* Asthenosphere: Solid rock that behaves like a very viscous fluid due to high temperatures and pressure.

Think of it like this: imagine trying to bend a metal bar at room temperature. It's very hard and will break easily. Now imagine heating that same bar to near its melting point. It becomes much more malleable and can be bent easily. The asthenosphere behaves similarly due to the extreme heat.