0
The specific gravity, on average, of continental crust is 2.7. For oceanic crust, it's 2.9.
What else can I help you with?
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.
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.
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 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)
What is denser oceanic crust or continental crust?
Oceanic crust: It is thinner than continental crust, or sial, generally less than 10 kilometers thick, however it is denser, having a mean density of about 3.3 grams per cubic centimeter.
How do the densities of oceanic crust and continental crust influence what happens when an oceanic plate coverages with a continental plate?
Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust. All that water weight compresses the heck out of the material in the plate and also the oceanic crust contains larger percentages of denser elements such as magnesium and iron than the continental crust which also contributes to it's higher density. This sets the conditions for what happens. The more dense oceanic crust will "dive under" continental crust because it is more dense, and all because of the difference in densities.
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 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).
What is the primary reason that the continential crust stays on top of the oceanic crust?
The primary reason continental crust remains above oceanic crust is its lower density. Continental crust is primarily composed of lighter, less dense rocks like granite, while oceanic crust is denser, made mostly of basalt. This difference in density causes the buoyant continental crust to "float" on the denser oceanic crust beneath it, resulting in the continental crust being elevated above sea level.
