Lithosphere responds to large stresses (force per unit area) as if it were a very stiff spring (elastic ). If the stresses get too large the lithosphere breaks (brittle ). Earthquakes are the brittle breaking of the lithosphere. There is no sharp boundary between the lithosphere and asthenosphere.

Can the lithosphere be destroyed?

Oceanic lithosphere is descending into the earth's mantle at these places, and being destroyed. ... At convergent boundaries oceanic lithosphere is always destroyed by descending into a subduction zone.

Is the Earth's lithosphere broken?

The Earth's crust is broken up into a series of massive sections called plates. These tectonic plates rest upon the convecting mantle, which causes them to move.