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Why does continental crust always stay at or near the surface of the earth?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
There are several reasons - continental crust is less dense than the magma below - also - through a process known as Isostatic Equilibrium the continental crust maintains its level above the mantle.
When oceanic crust contacts continental crust at plate boundaries there is a subduction zone where the oceanic crust is pushed under the continental crust because is it much thinner and less massive.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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What is meant by continental crust and oceanic crust?
They are two different types of crust. Continental crust is heavier than Oceanic crust, so when the two collide, the Continental crust 'subducts' under the Oceanic Crust. 'Crust' referring to the tectonic plates, the surface of the Earth we stand on.
What do you call the thin outer layer of the earth's surface?
The Crust
What is a continental slide?
A continental slide is the new crust on the earth surface. It happens when two plates below the earth surfaces meets and the boundary became deep trenches.
Why is it important to understand how oceanic and continental crusts move?
The top layer of the Earth's surface is called the crust (it lies on top of the plates). Oceanic crust (the thin crust under the oceans) is thinner and denser than continental crust. Crust is constantly being created and destroyed; oceanic crust is more active than continental crust.
Compared to Earth's continental crust Earth's oceanic crust is?
thinner and denser
What are the 2 types of crust that cover the earth's surface?
Continental crust and Oceanic crust.
What is the name of the thin rocky layer on the surface of earth?
The crust, which is subdivided into continental crust and oceanic crust.
What is the top most layer of the earth's surface?
Soil is the topmost layer of the Earth's crust.
What is the continental crust of the earth?
what is the continental crust
What is meant by continental crust and oceanic crust?
They are two different types of crust. Continental crust is heavier than Oceanic crust, so when the two collide, the Continental crust 'subducts' under the Oceanic Crust. 'Crust' referring to the tectonic plates, the surface of the Earth we stand on.
What do you call the thin outer layer of the earth's surface?
The Crust
Why does water float on Earth's surface?
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, it floats lower in earths mantle.
What layer of the Earth's crust that is not covered by ocean water is called the crust?
continental crust
Where is the crust on earth?
In general the Earth's oceanic crust is thinner then the continental crust
Is crust under the surface of the Earth?
the crust is the surface of the earth
What is a continental slide?
A continental slide is the new crust on the earth surface. It happens when two plates below the earth surfaces meets and the boundary became deep trenches.
Which layer of the Earth is the only layer that is known to contain life?
The only layer of the earth to contain life is the crust. The crust consists of two parts: the continental crust and the oceanic crust. The oceanic crust is below the oceans and is 4-7 miles thick. The continental crust is the surface you see. It is mostly water and 29% land.
