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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 oceanic lithosphere sink beneath continental lithosphere at convergent boundary's?
As odd as it is to think of things this way, continental lithosphere is more buoyant than oceanic lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is more dense.
Why does oceanic lithosphere sinks beneath continental lithosphere at convergent boundaries?
As odd as it is to think of things this way, continental lithosphere is more buoyant than oceanic lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is more dense.
Name the two types of lithospheric plates?
There are two types of lithosphere: the oceanic lithosphere and the continental lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere exists in the ocean basins while the continental lithosphere exists in the continental crust.
Why does oceanic lithosphere sink beneath convergent lithosphere at convergent boundaries?
As odd as it is to think of things this way, continental lithosphere is more buoyant than oceanic lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is more dense.
How is continental lithosphere different oceanic lithosphere?
Continental lithosphere is thicker and less dense than oceanic lithosphere. Continental crust is primarily composed of granitic rock while oceanic crust is composed primarily of basaltic rock.
Why is oceanic lithosphere subducted while continental lithosphere is not?
The density of the continental (granitic) lithosphere is lower than oceanic (basaltic) lithosphere. Consequently, due to buoyancy, the continental crust rides above the oceanic lithosphere and thus is not subducted. However, it is thought that pieces of the continental lithosphere break off and are subducted along with the oceanic lithosphere.
Does continental lithosphere contain more mafic rocks than oceanic lithosphere?
No, oceanic lithosphere contains more mafic rocks compared to continental lithosphere. Oceanic lithosphere is mainly composed of basalt, which is a mafic rock, whereas continental lithosphere is composed of a variety of rock types, including granitic rocks which are more felsic in composition.
Why is oceanic lithosphere subducted during and oceanic continental collision where as the continental plate is not?
Oceanic lithosphere is denser than continental lithosphere, so it is more likely to be subducted during a collision. The downward force exerted by the dense oceanic plate causes it to sink beneath the less dense continental plate. Furthermore, oceanic lithosphere is typically thinner and more malleable, making it easier to be forced beneath the continental lithosphere.
What the lithosphere made up of?
The lithosphere is composed of the oceanic and continental crusts.
How is continental lithosphere different from oceanic lithosphere?
Continental plates are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are mainly granitic in composition. Oceanic plates are mainly basaltic in composition. The rock of continental plates is on average, much older than the rock of the oceanic plates. The oceanic plate underlies the oceans, and the continental plate makes up the land masses. Continental plates do not subduct at convergent plate boundaries.
What happens when continental and oceanic lithospheres collide?
When oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere collide, the continental lithosphere may be obducted over the oceanic lithosphere or the oceanic lithosphere may be subducted under the continental lithosphere. The latter is thought to be more common. This subduction and obduction generally results in tectonic activity such as volcanoes and earthquakes.
