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Q: What causes one plate to sink while another floats?
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Are the continents on top of the earth's plates?

A continent is what floats on top of the plate. There are continental and oceanic plates. The continents float on the continental plate and the ocean sits on the oceanic plate. But there are also plates that carry both continents and oceans. The plates are what causes continental drift. So basically plates are what carry the continents and oceans.


What builds up earths surface?

Earth's land surface is built up by a process called tectonic subduction.Related Information:This process occurs as one tectonic plate is subducted (slips under) another, while the subducting plate is elevated as it moves over the subducted plate. The subducted plate is most commonly a oceanic plate.


Is a plate margin and a plate boundary the same?

No,plate margin&plate boundary are not same.plate boundaries are definite regions where tectonic occurs,while margins are surface lines.


How do plate tectonics explains mudslides tornadoes ocean currents and trenches?

Plate tectonic only directly explains ocean trenches. An ocean trench forms when an oceanic plate collides with another plate and slides under it. Mudslides are most likely to occur in in hilly or mountainous areas. Most mountains have been formed by tectonic activity. Ocean currents are influenced by climate and the arrangement of the continents. While plate tectonics does change the positions of the continents, it does not directly affect climate. Tornadoes have nothing to do with plate tectonics; they are weather events.


Give the name of one plate that contains mostly oceanic lithosphere and of one plate that continenmental litosphere?

The Pacific plate is mostly oceanic lithosphere while the North American plate is mostly continental lithosphere.

Related questions

What is the difference between a plate and a continent?

A continent is what floats on top of the plate. There are continental and oceanic plates. The continents float on the continental plate and the ocean sits on the oceanic plate. But there are also plates that carry both continents and oceans. The plates are what causes continental drift. So basically plates are what carry the continents and oceans.


Are the continents on top of the earth's plates?

A continent is what floats on top of the plate. There are continental and oceanic plates. The continents float on the continental plate and the ocean sits on the oceanic plate. But there are also plates that carry both continents and oceans. The plates are what causes continental drift. So basically plates are what carry the continents and oceans.


What feature is formed when an ocean plate collides with a continental plate?

When an ocean plate collides with a continental plate, a subduction zone occurs and forms a deep trench. An ocean plate is more dense while a continental plate is less dense which causes the ocean plate to go under the continental plate and pull the land and water down, forming a trench.


What feature forms when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?

When an ocean plate collides with a continental plate, a subduction zone occurs and forms a deep trench. An ocean plate is more dense while a continental plate is less dense which causes the ocean plate to go under the continental plate and pull the land and water down, forming a trench.


What features form when a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate?

When an ocean plate collides with a continental plate, a subduction zone occurs and forms a deep trench. An ocean plate is more dense while a continental plate is less dense which causes the ocean plate to go under the continental plate and pull the land and water down, forming a trench.


Does silk float or sink in water?

It floats, but after a while silk will sink.


What floats and does not float?

A pencil floats, a human no float, a feather floats, paper floats, ice floats, keys do not float, rocks do not float, coins do not, flip flops float. Second answer: I think you meant to ask, 'What floats and then some time later starts to sink. If that is what you meant, the answer is: There are absorbent substances which float when dry, then after absorbing water while they are floating, they increase in density and then sink.


What causes limp dick while making love?

You're not aroused, or sensation dulled by another substance


What builds up earths surface?

Earth's land surface is built up by a process called tectonic subduction.Related Information:This process occurs as one tectonic plate is subducted (slips under) another, while the subducting plate is elevated as it moves over the subducted plate. The subducted plate is most commonly a oceanic plate.


Where does most geologic activity occur?

Most geological activity occurs where the earth's tectonic plates come together. This causes volcanoes and mountains to form while it also causes earthquakes.


What causes the pregnancy test to be negative while missing the period?

Possibly the pregnancy test is ineffective. Try another one.


Define and relate the following to the plate tectonics theory?

There are 2 tectonics theories namely: divergent boundary and subduction zone. The boundary of the plate tectonics where two plates are placed is called divergent boundary while the subduction zone is a convergent boundary where in one plate is subducted on another.