Iron and magnesium, when compared to continental crust.
Oceanic crust is significantly denser.
The oceanic crust is composed mainly of basalt, rich in iron and magnesium. The continental crust is composed mainly of granite, rich in aluminum. Although they are both rich in oxygen and silicon, the rocks that compose the oceanic crust are of higher density than the rocks that compose the continental crust.
Oceanic Crust
oceanic crust is constantly being subducted and replaced with new material at places like the mid Atlantic ridge.
The oceanic crust is mostly composed of basalt, while the continental crust is primarily made up of granite. Both types of crust contain some amount of silica-rich minerals like feldspar and quartz.
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).
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).
The source material of basaltic magma is typically the upper mantle, which is composed of ultramafic rock rich in magnesium and iron. When mantle rocks partially melt due to high temperatures or reduced pressure, basaltic magma forms. This magma then rises to the Earth's surface through volcanic activity.
The two types of crustal material are continental crust and oceanic crust. Continental crust is thicker and less dense, composed mainly of granite rocks, while oceanic crust is thinner and denser, made up primarily of basalt rocks.
The oceanic crust is made up of mafic rocks which is rich in magnesium and iron. These rocks are also referred to as sima. The oceanic crust is similar to the continental crust, except it is thinner yet denser.
oceanic crust is made of basalt while continental crust is made of silica rich rocks like granite.
The major component of oceanic crust is basalt, which is a type of mafic rock that forms from solidified volcanic lava flows. Basalt is rich in iron and magnesium and is the most common rock type found in the oceanic crust.