answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The older, basaltic rocks that formed on the Earth before granite first developed were to easily weathered by the ocean to form permanent continents. The ocean floor is made of basalt, but when basaltic formations extended to the surface of early oceans, they were quickly weathered away. Granite first formed when underwater volcanoes erupted, and the magma was cooled extremely quickly, forming a less dense, but much more durable, rock than basalt. These early granite formations served as the "anchors" for the early continents to form upon.

In short, granite was the most durable form of rock to develop on early Earth, and, as such, it provided a durable place for the continents to develop on, safe from the erosive forces of the early oceans.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why were the first continents made from granite?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Earth Science

What is composition of the crust under the continents?

continental crust is made of granite and it's high in silica. I had for homework. Hope that helped!!


What is the type of rock that comprises the bulk of the continents?

The continents are made up of the least dense minerals and elements, essentially the continents float in a 'sea' of denser rocks, which are involved in a slow process of convection within the Earth's Mantle. As this convection proceeds the continental rafts get moved across the face of the planet. The cores of continents (where they are exposed at the surface by erosion and uplift are composed of Metamorphic rocks with a chemical composition similar to that of Granite - they frequently show a metamorphic fabric and the term used to describe them is 'Banded Gneisses'


What is the most common igneous rock of the continent?

Granite is the most common igneous rock found on continents. It is formed from the slow crystallization of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface. Granite is known for its durability and is commonly used in construction and monument-making.


Granite is one of the main rocks that makes up continental crust which is?

The crust that forms the continents.


Is concrete granite?

No, concrete and granite are two different materials. Concrete is a composite material made of cement, water, and aggregates like sand and gravel, while granite is a natural stone formed from the solidification of molten materials beneath the earth's surface. Granite is typically harder and more durable than concrete.

Related questions

The rock beneath the continents is made of?

The rock beneath the continents is primarily composed of granite and other metamorphic rocks such as gneiss and schist. These rocks are older and less dense than the oceanic crust, forming the thick, continental lithosphere that supports the continents.


Why are basalt and granite important igneous rock?

As it turns out, most of the ocean floor is basalt, and most of the continents are granite.


What rocks make up the continent floor?

The continental plate, which is made of granite rock, makes up the continents.


What is composition of the crust under the continents?

continental crust is made of granite and it's high in silica. I had for homework. Hope that helped!!


What is the most common igneous rock of the continent?

Granite is the most common igneous rock found on continents. It is formed from the slow crystallization of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface. Granite is known for its durability and is commonly used in construction and monument-making.


What is the type of rock that comprises the bulk of the continents?

The continents are made up of the least dense minerals and elements, essentially the continents float in a 'sea' of denser rocks, which are involved in a slow process of convection within the Earth's Mantle. As this convection proceeds the continental rafts get moved across the face of the planet. The cores of continents (where they are exposed at the surface by erosion and uplift are composed of Metamorphic rocks with a chemical composition similar to that of Granite - they frequently show a metamorphic fabric and the term used to describe them is 'Banded Gneisses'


What rock is continental plates made up of?

Continental Crust is the layer of rocks that forms the continents and continental shelves. It is mostly made of granite or granitic rock.


Is concrete granite?

No, concrete and granite are two different materials. Concrete is a composite material made of cement, water, and aggregates like sand and gravel, while granite is a natural stone formed from the solidification of molten materials beneath the earth's surface. Granite is typically harder and more durable than concrete.


What minierals are in granite?

Granite is a widely occurring group of intrusive, igneous rocks that form at great depth and pressure under continents. The minerals in granite are primarily quartz, feldspar, and mica.


What is granite out of?

the granite is made out of magma


Why was Mount Rushmore made out of granite?

Because the mountain that they are made on is granite.


What is the composition of the crust under the continents How do you know?

The crust under continents is primarily composed of granitic rocks, which are rich in silica and aluminum. We know this through studies of rock samples collected from the Earth's surface and seismic data that provide information about the composition and structure of the crust beneath continents. Additionally, drilling projects such as the Mohole project have allowed for direct observations of crustal composition at depth.