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Because a "lighter" (less dense) plate floats above it.
Note; continental plates are less dense than seabed.
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∙ 9y ago
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What causes some oceanic plates to sink and others to float?
All oceanic plates float on top of the mantle, and sink into the mantle underneath a less dense plate in plate collision zones.
Which layer of the earth do the plates ride on?
The layer of the mantle that supports the plates is the aestenosphere. The plates and fluid upper mantle are referred to collectively as the lithosphere.
The driving forces of tectonic plates are related to convection currents in Earth's?
mantle.
What do plates float on?
Upper mantle
How can you describe the seven crustal plates?
There are actually at least 31 identified lithospheric plates, the plates consisting of crust and uppermost mantle which float on top of the plastic-like asthenosphere of the mantle.
Why do plates sink to the mantle?
The Earth's plates sink into the mantle because of one plate pushing another down, causing a subduction zone.
What causes some oceanic plates to sink and others to float?
All oceanic plates float on top of the mantle, and sink into the mantle underneath a less dense plate in plate collision zones.
When plates collide with continental plates does the denser ocean plate sink?
Yes, it "dives" under the continental crust and back into the mantle.
If the layers of rock sink to the Earth's mantle as a result of the sliding plates what will the fossils most likely experience?
they will be destroyed.
What plates are the mantle responsible for?
The mantle does not drive plates, the ductility of the Asthenosphere does.
What is the name of plates that wont sink?
Continental plates will not sink.
Do the plates float on the mantle?
Tectonic plates float on the mantle because they are less dense
Why do the plates float on the mantle?
Tectonic plates float on the mantle because they are less dense
Why do convergent oceanic plates subduct but continental plates do not usually respond in this way?
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, dense enough to sink into the mantle. Continental crust is not dense enough to do this.
Which layer of the earth do the plates ride on?
The layer of the mantle that supports the plates is the aestenosphere. The plates and fluid upper mantle are referred to collectively as the lithosphere.
The driving forces of tectonic plates are related to convection currents in Earth's?
mantle.
What is the soft layer of the mantle on which plates move?
its because the plates
