Asthenosphere In Quran
The concept that Earth’s crust floats on a semi-molten layer, known as the asthenosphere, was unknown 1400 years ago. Today, modern geology confirms that the lithosphere (Earth’s rigid outer shell) “floats” on the ductile asthenosphere beneath it. The Quran, however, alludes to this scientific truth long before it was discovered.
1. Mountains are anchored
Quran 79:32
And the mountains He anchored.
- The phrase “He anchored” (أَرْسَاهَا) emphasizes that mountains are set firmly in the Earth.
- In modern terms, this means mountains are firmly established on the rigid lithospheric plates, which act as the Earth’s solid “foundation.
This gives the impression that mountains are completely immovable, as the verse describes.
2. Mountains are slowly moving
Quran 27:88
You see the mountains and think they are firmly fixed; but they are moving away just like the clouds…”
- The Qur’an acknowledges that mountains aren’t completely immobile.
- They move imperceptibly over time, similar to the slow drifting of clouds.
3. Connection with the asthenosphere and plate tectonics
- Beneath the rigid lithospheric plates lies the asthenosphere, a highly viscous, slowly flowing layer of the upper mantle.
- The lithosphere “floats” on the asthenosphere, allowing tectonic plates (and the mountains on them) to move very slowly, a few centimeters per year.
- Convection currents, ridge push, and slab pull in the mantle drive this movement.
- Mountains remain anchored relative to their plate, yet the plates themselves drift, causing gradual motion over geological time.
| Concept | Qur’anic Verse | Modern Scientific Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Anchored / Stability | Quran 79:32 – “And the mountains He anchored.” | Mountains are stable because they rest on lithospheric plates, which act as the Earth’s solid “foundation.” |
| Slow Movement | Quran 27:88 – “You see the mountains and think they are firmly fixed; but they are moving away just like the clouds…” | Mountains slowly drift because the tectonic plates float on the ductile asthenosphere, moving a few centimeters per year. |
| Combined Understanding | – | The Qur’an describes both the stability and gradual movement of mountains. Science explains the mechanism behind it through plate tectonics and the asthenosphere. |
The asthenosphere is a layer of the Earth’s upper mantle, located about 80 to 200 km below the surface. It is a semi-molten, viscous, and deforming region that allows the Earth’s rigid lithosphere to “float” on top of it. This layer flows like a convection current, enabling the movement of tectonic plates, which includes mountain ranges forming and shifting over time. – The lithosphere (Earth’s outer shell, which includes the crust) is broken into tectonic plates that rest on this semi-molten asthenosphere. These plates move slowly over the asthenosphere, causing earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the shifting of continents and mountain ranges.
What is special in this Qur’anic description?
Humans see mountains as fixed, and the Qur’an affirms this reality (anchored wich means firmly secured, fastened, or fixed in one position, preventing movement. It can also refer to being emotionally or psychologically stable and secure. The term originates from the nautical use of an anchor, a heavy device dropped by a ship to hold it in place.). Yet the Qur’an also states that mountains move (Quran 27:88). At first glance, this seems contradictory: how can something fixed also move? This apparent paradox is a sign for humans to reflect. Today, geology explains this through the interaction of the lithosphere, asthenosphere, and plate tectonics. Mountains are anchored firmly on solid lithospheric plates, but because these plates float on the asthenosphere, they move slowly over time, Thus, the Qur’an accurately referred to both realities at once: the stability of mountains and their gradual motion.
Additional Information
The Qur’an does not name these layers with the same terms modern science uses, such as lithosphere or asthenosphere. Nor does the Qur’an claim to be a scientific textbook. Rather, it presents signs for reflection – final statements of truth – while leaving the details for human beings to discover, Science, through plate tectonics, asthenosphere and geology , explains how and why mountains are both anchored and moving. But the Qur’an already gave the final reality: mountains are set firmly in the Earth, yet they also move gradually. Both descriptions are accurate, and together they reflect the harmony between divine revelation and human discovery.