Translations:Dictionary:Asthenosphere/2/en

(as thēn’ ∂ sfer,) A yielding zone in the Earth’s mantle involved in isostatic compensation and in plate-tectonic movements. The asthenosphere lies between the nearly rigid lithosphere and above the mesosphere; it is approximately 200 km thick, has high attenuation of seismic energy (low Q), and little strength. See Figure E-1.