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Explain why continental crust can displace more of the mantle than oceanic crust can?
Continental crust is generally thicker and less dense than oceanic crust, allowing it to displace more of the mantle beneath it. The buoyancy of continental crust enables it to float higher on the mantle compared to the denser oceanic crust, which sinks deeper into the mantle. Additionally, the composition of continental crust, which includes lighter materials like granite, contributes to its ability to displace a larger volume of mantle. This difference in density and thickness results in continental crust having a greater gravitational pull on the mantle compared to oceanic crust.
Why does oceanic lithosphere sub duct while continental lithosphere does not?
Oceanic lithosphere is dense enough to be forced down into the mantle. Continental lithosphere is not.
Why does the oceanic crust sit lower in the mantle than the continental crust?
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust due to its composition and age, causing it to sink lower into the mantle. The oceanic crust is also thinner and has been subjected to more intense heat and pressure, which contributes to its lower position in the mantle compared to the thicker, lighter continental crust.
Why would a thickness of continental crust displace less mantle than the same thickness of oceanic crust?
Continental crust is generally thicker and less dense than oceanic crust, which is denser and thinner. When continental crust is added or displaced, it exerts less force on the underlying mantle due to its buoyancy, resulting in less mantle displacement. In contrast, the denser oceanic crust displaces more mantle when submerged or altered, leading to a greater effect on the mantle beneath it. This difference in density and buoyancy explains why the same thickness of continental crust displaces less mantle than oceanic crust.
What happens to mantle rock descending oceanic crust scrapes past continental crust?
As the oceanic crust descends beneath the continental crust, the mantle rock is subjected to high pressure and temperature. This causes the mantle rock to partially melt, producing magma that can rise to the surface and form volcanoes. The interaction of the descending oceanic crust with the continental crust can also lead to earthquake activity.
Where does the oceanic crust begin?
The oceanic crust begins at the Mid-Ocean Ridge, where tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify, forming new crust. This process of seafloor spreading creates the youngest oceanic crust at the ridge and older crust farther away from it.
Why does the continental crust float higher on the mantle than on the oceanic crust?
Continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, causing it to float higher on the mantle. The continental crust is also compositionally different, with a greater amount of less dense materials like granite compared to the basaltic composition of oceanic crust. This difference in density and composition results in the continental crust floating higher on the mantle.
What is the name of the process where ocean crust sinks back toward the mantle?
It is called subduction and only occurs in oceanic to oceanic or oceanic to continental plate collisions.
Why would a certain thickness of continental crust displace less of the mantle than the same thickness of oceanic crust?
Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust, so it floats higher on the mantle. This means that the same thickness of continental crust will displace less mantle compared to oceanic crust. Additionally, continental crust is composed of lighter rocks like granites, while oceanic crust is made of denser rocks like basalt.
When continental plates collide what happens to the oceanic crust between them?
When continental plates collide, the denser oceanic crust is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This process can create subduction zones, where the oceanic crust is forced downward into the mantle. The oceanic crust may melt or be recycled back into the mantle in these subduction zones.
Why do convergent oceanic plates subduct but continental plates do not usually respond in this way?
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, dense enough to sink into the mantle. Continental crust is not dense enough to do this.
What is the effect when a oceanic plate meets a continental plate?
the oceanic plate subducts under the continental plate and then melts in the mantle and often will create volcanos along the conitinental plate.\
