What are 3 differences between continental crust and oceanic crust?
The continental crust floats much more freely on the magma. The continental crust is much thicker when compared to the oceanic crust. It has a thickness ranging from 20 mi., which is about 35 km., on the plains, to as much as 40 mi., which is about 70 km., on the highest mountains.
What is the main difference between continental and oceanic plates?
Continental plates have a lower density than Oceanic plates. Granite and recycled materials are much thinner than the ocean plates' thick basalt layers. Oceanic plates occupy about 71% of the Earth's surface. Continental plates make up 29% of the Earth's surface.
What are two differences between oceanic crust and continental crust quizlet?
The oceanic crust is thinner and denser, and is similar in composition to basalt (Si, O, Ca, Mg, and Fe). The continental crust is thicker and less dense, and is similar to granite in composition (Si, O, Al, K, and Na).
What is the difference in density of oceanic crust and continental crust?
Continental crust is broadly granitic in composition and, with a density of about 2.7 grams per cubic cm, is somewhat lighter than oceanic crust, which is basaltic (i.e., richer in iron and magnesium than granite) in composition and has a density of about 2.9 to 3 grams per cubic cm.
What are the differences between oceanic and continental plates quizlet?
Oceanic plates are mainly found at destrictive plate margins because the oceanic plate subducts (goes under) the continental plate. Continental plates are where there is tectonic plate that are lighter than oceanic tectonic plate(s).
What are the differences between the two types of crust?
Earth's crust is generally divided into older, thicker continental crust and younger, denser oceanic crust. The dynamic geology of Earth's crust is informed by plate tectonics. “Crust” describes the outermost shell of a terrestrial planet.
What is difference between oceanic crust and continental crust Why do we care about what type of crust covers a tectonic plate?
It is either continental or oceanic. Continental crust is typically 30-50 km thick whilst oceanic crust is only 5-10 km thick. Oceanic crust is denser can be subducted and is constantly being destroyed and replaced at plate boundaries.
What is the difference between continental crust lithosphere and oceanic crust lithosphere?
Hence, oceanic lithosphere is much better defined seismologically than continental lithosphere. Velocity-depth profiles through the Earth's upper mantle do not define the top and bottom of the zones of rigid and viscous behaviour precisely, however, because the zones must have transitional boundaries.
What is the difference between continental crust and oceanic crust in regards to their thicknesses and densities quizlet?
Oceanic crust is thinner and more dense. Continental crust is thicker and less dense. Difference in density is why oceanic crust subducts underneath continental crust.
What is the difference between continental crust and oceanic crust in regards to their thicknesses and densities?
Continental crust is low in density whereas oceanic crust has a higher density. Continental crust is thicker on the contrary the oceanic crust is thinner. Continental crust floats on magma freely but oceanic crust floats on magma scarcely.
What is a continental crust?
continental crust, the outermost layer of Earth's lithosphere that makes up the planet's continents and continental shelves and is formed near subduction zones at plate boundaries between continental and oceanic tectonic plates. The continental crust forms nearly all of Earth's land surface.
In what ways are the two types of crust different?
Earth's crust is generally divided into older, thicker continental crust and younger, denser oceanic crust. The dynamic geology of Earth's crust is informed by plate tectonics. “Crust” describes the outermost shell of a terrestrial planet.
What is the difference between oceanic crust and continental crust quizlet?
The oceanic crust is thinner and denser, and is similar in composition to basalt (Si, O, Ca, Mg, and Fe). The continental crust is thicker and less dense, and is similar to granite in composition (Si, O, Al, K, and Na).
What is the oceanic crust?
oceanic crust, the outermost layer of Earth's lithosphere that is found under the oceans and formed at spreading centres on oceanic ridges, which occur at divergent plate boundaries. Oceanic crust is about 6 km (4 miles) thick. It is composed of several layers, not including the overlying sediment.
What is the oceanic crust made of?
Oceanic Crust Oceanic crust, extending 5-10 kilometers (3-6 kilometers) beneath the ocean floor, is mostly composed of different types of basalts. Geologists often refer to the rocks of the oceanic crust as “sima.” Sima stands for silicate and magnesium, the most abundant minerals in oceanic crust.
What is the difference between oceanic crust and sediment?
Oceanic crust is about 6 km (4 miles) thick. It is composed of several layers, not including the overlying sediment. The topmost layer, about 500 metres (1,650 feet) thick, includes lavas made of basalt (that is, rock material consisting largely of plagioclase (feldspar) and pyroxene).
What is the continental crust made of?
Continental Crust Continental crust is mostly composed of different types of granites. Geologists often refer to the rocks of the continental crust as “sial.” Sial stands for silicate and aluminum, the most abundant minerals in continental crust.
Why do continental and oceanic crust act differently?
Continents do something different from oceanic crust. If you know Earth's density, they are too buoyant to sink compared to the heavier mantle rocks underneath. This is why continental crust floats on the surface of the mantle.
What is the difference between oceanic crust and continental crust Why do we care about what type of crust covers a tectonic plate?
What is the difference between Oceanic and Continental Crust? Oceanic crust is dominated by mafic and ultramafic intrusive igneous rocks whereas continental rocks are dominated by granitic (felsic) intrusive igneous rocks.