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.
Yes. It is more dense than continental crust.
denser (Apex)
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it is composed of denser rocks like basalt and gabbro, while continental crust is made up of lighter rocks like granite and sedimentary rocks. This density difference is due to the composition and thickness of each type of crust.
It is denser than continental crust.
No, the oceanic crust is denser. That's why the land areas "float" so much higher than the ocean bedrock.
younger
Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than continental crust. It is mainly composed of basalt, while continental crust is primarily made up of granite. Oceanic crust is also younger and constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity.
Oceanic crust: It is thinner than continental crust, or sial, generally less than 10 kilometers thick, however it is denser, having a mean density of about 3.3 grams per cubic centimeter.
The continental crust is less dense than the oceanic crust. That's the reason we find that the oceanic crust sinks (subducts) beneath the continental crust.Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust and so cannot sink below it.
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it contains more magnesium, iron, and calcium. These heavier elements contribute to the higher density of the oceanic crust compared to the continental crust.
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it is formed from basaltic magma at mid-ocean ridges, which cools quickly and is more compact. This denser oceanic crust tends to sink lower into the mantle compared to the less dense continental crust, which is primarily composed of less dense granite rocks.
This process is known as subduction and occurs at convergent plate boundaries because oceanic crust is denser than continental crust.