What term describes the rigid plates composed of lithosphere that move around the asthenosphere?

The term that accurately describes the rigid plates composed of lithosphere that move around the asthenosphere is "tectonic plates." Tectonic plates are large sections of Earth's lithosphere, which includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. These plates are constantly in motion due to the convection currents in the underlying asthenosphere, allowing them to interact with one another at their boundaries.

Understanding this concept is crucial because it forms the basis of plate tectonics, which explains many geological phenomena, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges. The movement of these tectonic plates is responsible for shaping the Earth's surface and contributes to the dynamic nature of our planet.

The other terms provided—continental plates, oceanic plates, and crustal plates—are specific types of tectonic plates or refer to sections of the lithosphere. While they are indeed part of the greater concept of tectonic plates, they do not encompass the full definition of the rigid plates that encompass both continental and oceanic areas as a collective moving system.