The thin outermost layer of the solid earth is called the:
mantle
asthenosphere
outer core
crust

The correct answer is crust: this is the outermost layer of Earth!

The innermost part is the core, so outer core would be the innermost of all the mentioned ones.

After this the mantle is more outermost, and after this the asthenosphere. The outermost of the options is the crust!

Mantle convection is the process that drives plate tectonics. the theory of plate tectonics states that the crust is divided into plates that float on the semi molten mantle below. the circular motion of the magma as it slowly rises and falls or move though convection cells drags the plates along causing them to move. the heat source in the lamp would represent the earth's core. the core is the source of energy that drives convection in the mantle. the lava represents molten magma under the earth's surface. if the lava lamp had floating pieces they would move as the circular motion of the lava in the lamp as it rises and falls would move them along the surface. these floating pieces would represent pieces of the earth's crust. 

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