lithosphere

The solid surface layer of the Earth, characterized by its rigidity. It is made up of the Earth's crust and the outermost part of the mantle. The word has its etymological origin in the Greek words λίθος ( lithos ) and σφαίρα ( sphaíra ) and literally means "sphere of stone." It is one of the components of the climate system and interacts with the other four (atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere), although changes within it are much slower, and it can be considered static compared to the others.