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asthenosphere

Syllabification: (as·then·o·sphere)
Pronunciation: /asˈTHenəˌsfi(ə)r/

Definition of asthenosphere

noun

Geology
  • the upper layer of the earth’s mantle, below the lithosphere, in which there is relatively low resistance to plastic flow and convection is thought to occur.

Derivatives

asthenospheric

Pronunciation: /asˌTHenəˈsfi(ə)rik, -ˈsferik/

adjective

Origin:

early 20th century: from Greek asthenēs 'weak' + sphere

asthenosphere in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of asthenosphere in the British & World English dictionary

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