Definition for Asthenosphere

From Biology Forums Dictionary

The asthenosphere is the highly viscous, mechanically weak and ductilely-deforming region of the upper mantle of the Earth. It lies below the lithosphere, at depths between 100 and 200 km (~62 and 124 miles) below the surface, but perhaps extending as deep as 700 km (430 mi). It is considered the source region of mid-ocean ridge basalt.