3:35 54 Answer Saved Question 15 ABG What is the name of the nearly continuous layer of rock at Earth's surface? A. asthenosphere B. lithosphere C. inner core D. outer core © 2025 Renaissance Learning, Inc. All right testing.illuminateed.cc

The correct answer is: **B. lithosphere** **Explanation:** The **lithosphere** is the nearly continuous, rigid outer layer of the Earth. It includes the Earth's crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. This layer is broken into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. The lithosphere plays a crucial role in plate tectonics, leading to phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges. **Other Options:** - **A. Asthenosphere:** This is the semi-fluid layer directly below the lithosphere, allowing the tectonic plates of the lithosphere to move. - **C. Inner Core:** The solid, innermost part of Earth, composed primarily of iron and nickel. - **D. Outer Core:** The liquid layer surrounding the inner core, also composed mainly of iron and nickel, responsible for Earth's magnetic field.