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Q: Is the continental crust more basaltic or felsic?
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How oceanic crust different?

Oceanic and Contintental crust are different in composition as well as size and density Continental- granitic/50-100km thick Oceanic- basaltic/ up to 10km thick Oceanic crust is more dense making it subduct under continental crust


What are the two types of crust and which rocks make up each crust?

there are two types of crust such as the oceanic crust and the continental crust, the oceanic crust is thinner and more dense than the continental crust and is constantly being recycled via subduction upon collisions with Continental crust, and creating at mid-ocean ridges. x


Are basaltic igneous rocks lower in density than granitic rocks?

Granite is very much less dense than basalt. This is why the continental crust (mostly composed of granite) floats on Oceanic crust (made mostly of basalt). Granite is 70 % silicon. Where basalt is mainly pyroxene.


How do the two types of crust vary?

Their main differences are in thickness, composition, density and age.Oceanic crust is thinner (5-10 km thick) than continental crust (20-70 km thick).Oceanic crust is composed of minerals that have higher concentrations of iron and magnesium (Mafic minerals) than those of the continental crust (which is richer in aluminum and silica - Felsic minerals).The rocks that make up the oceanic crust are typically more dense (3300 kg/m3) than those that make up the continental crust (2700 kg/m3).Oceanic crust is as a rule much younger than continental crust; the oldest oceanic crust is rarely over 200 million years in age, whereas the continental crust can exceed 3 billion years in age.


What layer of the crust is the most dense?

Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust.

Related questions

Compared to the oceanic crust the continental crust is?

less dense and more felsic


How does the 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 does density of the 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 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).


What is the difference in density in mafic rocks in relation to felsic rocks?

Mafic rocks, such as those found in the oceanic crust, are more dense than the felsic rocks found in the continental crust.


Why does the oceanic crust move below continental crust?

The basaltic oceanic crust is more dense than the granitic continental crust. Therefore, when the two meet at plate margins, the oceanic crust usually subducts beneath the continental plate.


Why does oceanic crust slide under continental crust during subduction?

The oceanic crust slides under the continental crust due to the differences in their densities. The continental crust is more felsic (contains more silica) which makes it lighter than the oceanic crust which is more mafic (containes more fe and mg). Because the process of subduction is very slow, gravitational forces have a stronger effect on the more dense oceanic crust, causing this crust to be pulled under the continental crust and down into the mantle.


How do continental crust differ from oceanic?

Continental crust is predominantly composed mostly of rock of a granitic composition, higher in silica and aluminum, with layers of sedimentary rock above. Oceanic crust is predominantly basaltic (higher in iron and magnesium), darker, thinner, more dense, and formed from rapid cooling of lava.


How oceanic crust different?

Oceanic and Contintental crust are different in composition as well as size and density Continental- granitic/50-100km thick Oceanic- basaltic/ up to 10km thick Oceanic crust is more dense making it subduct under continental crust


Is the crust dense or less dense?

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


What are the two types of crust and which rocks make up each crust?

there are two types of crust such as the oceanic crust and the continental crust, the oceanic crust is thinner and more dense than the continental crust and is constantly being recycled via subduction upon collisions with Continental crust, and creating at mid-ocean ridges. x


What is the difference of continental crust and oceanic crust?

Two differences are that the oceanic crust is more dense than continental, and continental crust is composed mostly of granite, while oceanic is mostly basalt