Which is denser between continental or oceanic 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.
What’s the difference between the continental crust and the oceanic crust?
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.
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.
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 between oceanic and continental plate?
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 is the difference between continental and oceanic plates?
Continental plates are much thicker that Oceanic plates. At the convergent boundaries the continental plates are pushed upward and gain thickness. The rocks and geological layers are much older on continental plates than in the oceanic plates. The Continental plates are much less dense than the Oceanic plates.
Why is the oceanic crust more dense than the 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 are the differences between continental and oceanic plates?
Continental crust is composed of granitic rocks which are made up of relatively lightweight minerals such as quartz and feldspar. By contrast, oceanic crust is composed of basaltic rocks, which are much denser and heavier.
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 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.
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 is the density of the oceanic crust?
The estimated average density of the oceanic crust is 2.86 + 0.03 Mg m -3.
What is the difference between continental and oceanic 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 is the continental crust less dense than the oceanic crust?
Continental crust is less dense because of its composition. Continental crust is made up of felsic material (SiO4)– mainly granite. The density of continental crust is 2.9 g/cm^3. Oceanic crust, while thinner, is made of mafic materials (Fe, Mg)– mainly basalt.
What are the differences between oceanic and continental plates?
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.
How the density of oceanic crust and the density continental crust?
The average density of oceanic crust is 3.0 g/cm3, while continental crust has an average of 2.7 g/cm3.
What are three differences between continental 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.