What are the differences between the oceanic crust and the continental crust?
The oceanic crust is made up of basalt while the continental crust is made up of granite. 2. The oceanic crust is thinner while the continental crust is much thicker.
What is the difference in density between the oceanic crust and the 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 is the difference between oceanic plates and continental 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).
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.
What are the differences between oceanic 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 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 main differences between oceanic and continental lithosphere?
Oceanic lithosphere is typically about 50-100 km thick (but beneath the mid-ocean ridges is no thicker than the crust). The continental lithosphere is thicker (about 150 km). It consists of about 50 km of crust and 100 km or more of the uppermost mantle.
What makes continental plates different from oceanic 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).
Why oceanic crust is thinner compared to continental?
It is thinner and denser than continental crust, which is made of light-colored rocks called andesite and granite. The low density of continental crust causes it to “float” high atop the viscous mantle, forming dry land. Conversely, dense oceanic crust does not “float” as high—forming lower-lying ocean basins.
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.
Is oceanic crust thinner than continental crust?
Oceanic crust is generally composed of dark-colored rocks called basalt and gabbro. It is thinner and denser than continental crust, which is made of light-colored rocks called andesite and granite.
How are oceanic and continental plates similar?
Oceanic and Continental crusts are alike because they both shift and move and grow. They differ by there rock types. Oceanic crust is made up of dense basalt while continental crust is made up of less dense granite.
What is the major difference between the crust and the lithosphere?
Hence, whilst the crust is an integral part of the lithosphere, the lithosphere is mainly composed of mantle rocks. This is why authors sometimes state, loosely, that the lithosphere is the uppermost part of the mantle – they are choosing to disregard the thin veneer of crustal rocks.
What are the differences between oceanic and continental crust which is denser and which therefore floats over the other?
Because continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust it floats higher on the mantle, just like a piece of Styrofoam floats higher on water than a piece of wood does. The mantle, oceanic crust and continental crust have different densities because they are made of different kinds of rock with different densities.
Why oceanic crust is denser than continental?
Bassically the Oceanic crust is made with volcanic rocks and intrussions from the Mantle (which is more dense than the crust) and it has densities of about 2.9 grams/cubic centimeter. Continental crust is about 2.7 gr/cc, becase is made from less dense rocks as granites or limestones.
What makes continental plates different than oceanic plates quizlet?
Oceanic and Continental crusts are alike because they both shift and move and grow. They differ by there rock types. Oceanic crust is made up of dense basalt while continental crust is made up of less dense granite. You just studied 2 terms!
Is oceanic or continental crust thicker?
The continental crust is also less dense than oceanic crust, although it is considerably thicker. As a consequence of the density difference, when active margins of continental crust meet oceanic crust in subduction zones, the oceanic crust is typically subducted back into the mantle.
What is the difference between oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere?
Oceanic lithosphere is typically about 50-100 km thick (but beneath the mid-ocean ridges is no thicker than the crust). The continental lithosphere is thicker (about 150 km). It consists of about 50 km of crust and 100 km or more of the uppermost mantle.
Why is oceanic crust denser than continental crust?
Bassically the Oceanic crust is made with volcanic rocks and intrussions from the Mantle (which is more dense than the crust) and it has densities of about 2.9 grams/cubic centimeter. Continental crust is about 2.7 gr/cc, becase is made from less dense rocks as granites or limestones.
What features and characteristics are different between oceanic and continental plates?
Differences in Composition Oceanic plates are mafic in nature, composed of basalt rock and its coarse-grained equivalent, gabbro, both rich in iron, magnesium and calcium. In contrast, continental plates are felsic in nature, dominated by granitic rock with its abundant silica, aluminum, sodium and potassium.
Which is heavier between oceanic plates and continental plates?
The Continental plates are much less dense than the Oceanic plates. The Granite and recycled material are much lighter than the heavy basalt layers of the ocean plates.
Which is thicker oceanic crust or continental crust?
Global observations show that the crustal thickness varies through the tectonic regions. While the continental crust is 30–70 km thick, the oceanic crustal thickness is 6–12 km. The oceanic crust is also denser (2.8–3.0 g/cm3) than the continental crust (2.6–2.7 g/cm3).
Is oceanic crust heavier than continental?
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.
Why is the oceanic crust thinner than the continental crust?
It is thinner and denser than continental crust, which is made of light-colored rocks called andesite and granite. The low density of continental crust causes it to “float” high atop the viscous mantle, forming dry land. Conversely, dense oceanic crust does not “float” as high—forming lower-lying ocean basins.
Why is oceanic crust heavier than continental?
In the theory of tectonic plates, at a convergent boundary between a continental plate and an oceanic plate, the denser plate usually subducts underneath the less dense plate. It is well known that oceanic plates subduct under continental plates, and therefore oceanic plates are more dense than continental plates.
Why is the oceanic crust thinner than continental?
It is thinner and denser than continental crust, which is made of light-colored rocks called andesite and granite. The low density of continental crust causes it to “float” high atop the viscous mantle, forming dry land. Conversely, dense oceanic crust does not “float” as high—forming lower-lying ocean basins.
Which is caused by the difference in density of oceanic and continental plates?
This difference between the density of the two crusts is essential to the movement of plates because it allows subduction to take place. Subduction is a process that is caused when the oceanic crust or sea floor to bend downward then it sinks back into the mantle due to the movement of tectonic plates.
Why is oceanic crust thinner than continental?
Answer. oceanic crust is thinner than continental crust as oceanic crust keeps regenerating. it forms at the oceanic ridges or other sources (divergent plate boundaries) and with time it spreads away from the place of origin and becomes thinner away from the place of origin.