0
Does the continental or the oceanic crust extend farther into the mantle?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
The continental crust because it is thicker than the oceanic crust
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why does the oceanic crust sit lower in the mantle than the continental crust?
Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust.
What does the phrase 'the less buoyant plate is subducted' mean?
This means that the cooler, heavier oceanic plate at an oceanic to oceanic convergent boundary is forced into the mantle - under the hotter, lighter oceanic plate. OR At oceanic to continental boundary the heavier oceanic plate is forced into the mantle under the lighter continental plate.
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 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.
Where does oceanic and continental plates meet?
In a head-on collision, the oceanic plate subducts into the mantle.
What characteristics of continental crust allow it to float higher on the mantle than oceanic cruast?
Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust.
What happens when oceanic and continental crust meets?
Subduction. denser oceanic plate moves under the continental plate. The oceanic plate is submerged into the mantle causing magma to rise to the surface.
Is oceanic crust is usually thicker than continental crust?
No. Oceanic crust is heavier and denser than continental crust, but is actually thinner. Continental crust is believed to actually extend down into the magma of the mantle (upon which crust floats) more deeply than oceanic crust, similar to how a huge ice cube will not only be larger above the surface of water than a smaller ice cube, but will extend more deeply into a glass than a small ice cube ... so not only does continental crust extend higher on the surface (since it is continental crust, it has dry land above the ocean floor), but the 'bottom' of the crust also extends deeper into the earth. Oceanic crust is thus thinner than continental crust, but made of denser, heavier rock (which is why it subducts under continental crusts where continental and oceanic plates converge).
Why does the continental crust float higher on the mantle than on the oceanic crust?
the oceanic crust is more dense therefore it sinks lower than continental crust
Why is oceanic crust always subducted underneath the continental crust?
Oceanic crust subducts under continental crust because it is denser. Continental crust's density is too low for it to be forced into the mantle.
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 happens to an oceanic plate as it pushes against a continental plate and sinks?
The oceanic plate sinks into the mantle where it melts. This is replaced by new oceanic plate at the mid-oceanic ridge.
