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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.

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11y ago

Continental plates are older and thicker but less dense. oceanic plates are newer and thinner but more dense.

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12y ago

Oceanic plates are thinner but denser than continental plates. They are considered basaltic. Continental are thicker but less dense. They are considered granitic because of granite.

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Q: What is the difference between oceanic and continental plates?
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Convergence can occur between what types of plates?

1. oceanic-continental 2. oceanic-oceanic 3. continental-continental


Are continental plates more buoyant than oceanic plates?

Continental lithospheric plates are more buoyant than oceanic plates, yes.


Convergent boundaries can be divided into 3 categories what are these categories and what geological feature are created by each?

The categories are a continental and a continental plate colliding, continental and oceanic plates colliding, and oceanic and oceanic plates colliding. The two continental plates form mountains. The continental and oceanic plated colliding cause subduction zones and volcanoes. Oceanic and oceanic plates colliding form a trench.


C There are two types of tectonic plates oceanic and continental what is the difference between these two types of plates?

The lithosphere displaces the asthenoshpere. Thick tectonic plates, such as those made of continental crust, displace more asthenosphere than do thin plates, such as those made of oceanic lithosphere. The lithosphere displaces the asthenoshpere. Thick tectonic plates, such as those made of continental crust, displace more asthenosphere than do thin plates, such as those made of oceanic lithosphere.


What are two differences between the oceanic crust and the continental crust?

The oceanic crust consists of heavier rock, mostly Basalt, so that if a oceanic plate collides with a continental plate the oceanic plate will be forced down below the continental plate, forming island arcs.continental plates are thicker than oceanic plates.

Related questions

What is the difference between continentalcrust and the oceanic?

Continental crust is thicker and less dense while oceanic crust is thinner and more dense, so essentially continental crust takes a higher position than oceanic crust. When oceanic and continental plates collide, oceanic plates slide underneath continental plates(if this makes what I said any clearer).


Convergence can occur between what types of plates?

1. oceanic-continental 2. oceanic-oceanic 3. continental-continental


What is the difference between oceanic plate and continential plate?

Oceanic plates are young and made of basalt and recent sediments. Continental plates are old and contain continental crust made of old rocks and they are usually considerably thicker than the oceanic plates


Why are oceanic plates lower than continental plates?

Because continental plates are denser than oceanic. That is why oceanic and continental plates cause subduction zones.


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.


What types of boundaries have subduction zones?

Convergent boundaries can form between two oceanic plates, between one oceanic plate and one continental plate, or between two continental plates.


Why is oceanic plate denser than continental plate?

Oceanic plates are primarily made up of basaltic rock while continental plates are primarily made of granitic rock. Basalt is denser than granite which allows oceanic plates to subduct beneath continental plates.


Name two types of tectonic plates?

The two types of tectonic plates are continental and oceanic.


What plates are involved in a subduction plate?

Convergence between oceanic plate and one continental plate. Convergence between two oceanic plates.


Compare and contrast the three plate boundaries?

Oceanic-continental convergence (when an oceanic plate meets a continental plate) & oceanic-oceanic convergence (2 oceanic plates) both involve oceanic plates & subduction. Continental-continental convergence (2 continental plates) involves neither.


What is the difference between a convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate and a convergent boundary between two continental plates?

A convergent boundary between two continental plates causes both plates to crumple to form fold mountains e.g. the HimalayasA convergent boundary between a continental and an oceanic causes one to rise above the other. Granite is less dense than basalt, so the continental plate rises above the oceanic plate. This also forms mountains, like the Andes.


What is the difference between Continental plates and Tectonic plates?

Continental plates are tectonic plates. They are tectonic plates upon which continents rest, and they move as do all tectonic plates. Basically, there is no difference, other than the fact that oceanic plates are another type of tectonic plate.