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Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust and is comprised of mainly mafic minerals (Mg, Fe), as opposed to continental crust, which is mainly felsic (Al and Si rich).

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How does the density of oceanic crust differ from that of continental crust?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it is primarily composed of basalt, which is a mafic rock with a higher density than the felsic rocks that make up continental crust. Additionally, oceanic crust is thinner and younger than continental crust, contributing to its higher density.


How does density of oceanic crust differ from that of continental crust?

Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust and is comprised of mainly mafic minerals (Mg, Fe), as opposed to continental crust, which is mainly felsic (Al and Si rich).


How do the oceanic and continental crust differ?

Because the oceanic crust is under water in the ocean and a continental crust is land such as the continents


What is the density of continental crust and oceanic crust?

The specific gravity, on average, of continental crust is 2.7. For oceanic crust, it's 2.9.


Oceanic crust is lighter than the continental crust?

No, the oceanic crust is denser. That's why the land areas "float" so much higher than the ocean bedrock.


What portion of the earths crust is more dense oceanic or contenintal?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust. Oceanic crust has a density of about 3 g/cm^3, while continental crust has a lower density of about 2.7 g/cm^3.


Is the density low or high for the oceanic crust?

The density of oceanic crust is generally higher than continental crust due to its composition of mostly basaltic rock. This higher density causes oceanic crust to be thinner and denser, leading to its subduction beneath continental crust at convergent plate boundaries.


Why does the oceanic crust sink beneath the continental crust at the subduction zone?

density


When a continental crustal plate collides with an oceanic crustal plate the continental crust is forced to move over the oceanic crust What is the primary reason that the continental crust stays on?

The continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, which allows it to stay on top during a collision. The low density and greater thickness of continental crust help it resist subduction beneath the oceanic crust.


What are 2 kinds of crust that a tectonic plate may contain?

Tectonic plates can have either continental crust, which is thicker and less dense, or oceanic crust, which is thinner and denser. These two types of crust differ in composition, thickness, and density, and interact with each other at plate boundaries.


What is a continental crust?

the continental crust is the plate crust formed under the continent (less density) as opposed to oceanic crustformed under the ocean(higher density)


How are oceanic and continental crust alike and how are they different?

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.