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What is the main difference between continental plates and oceanic plates?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Oceanic crust is created on Mid ocean ridges and of basaltic composition. Oceanic crust is on average comparatively young as it is subducted into the mantle in subduction zones. Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than average continental crust.
The composition and age distribution of continental crust is much more complicated than that of oceanic crust. It is on average less dense and much thicker than oceanic crust and its composition is roughly that of a tonalite (something similar to a granite but with less alkali feldspar). Apart from igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks, the sedimentary rocks add a lot to the variety of lithologies found on the continents (carbonates, evaporites, sandstones, shales, conglomerates, etc.).
As opposed to oceanic crust, continental crust is not subducted into the mantle in large quantities but has been gradually accumulating over geologic timescales.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
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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 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.
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.
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).
What is the difference between oceanic and continental plates?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
