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What is the rigid part of the tectonic plates that is made up of oceanic crust or continental crust and the upper mantle?
the lithoseshere
What happens when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?
when oceanic crust and continental crust collide, the oceanic crust sinks down beneath the continental crust. this is called subduction.
Why does oceanic crust dive underneath continental crust?
This process is known as subduction and occurs at convergent plate boundaries because oceanic crust is denser than continental crust.
Continental and oceanic crust?
The two parts of the crust that make up the earth. The continental supports land while the oceanic crust is at the bottom of the ocean. - Anonymous
How does the earths mantle differ from its crust?
Inner core: 2450 km thick Outer core: 2300 km thick Lower mantle: 2500 km thick Upper Mantle: 400 km thick continental crust: 30-70 km thick Oceanic Crust: 6 km thick
Why would a certain thickness of continental crust displace less of the mantle than the same thickness of oceanic crust?
Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust, so it floats higher on the mantle. This means that the same thickness of continental crust will displace less mantle compared to oceanic crust. Additionally, continental crust is composed of lighter rocks like granites, while oceanic crust is made of denser rocks like basalt.
Does seafloor displaces more of the mantle that the same thickness of the continental crust?
Yes, the denser oceanic crust of the seafloor will displace more mantle material compared to the same thickness of continental crust due to its higher density. This is because the thicker, less dense continental crust floats higher on the mantle compared to the thinner, denser oceanic crust.
Does the continental or the oceanic crust extend farther into the mantle?
The continental crust because it is thicker than the oceanic crust
Why does the oceanic crust sit lower in the mantle than the continental crust?
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust due to its composition and age, causing it to sink lower into the mantle. The oceanic crust is also thinner and has been subjected to more intense heat and pressure, which contributes to its lower position in the mantle compared to the thicker, lighter continental crust.
Why does the continental crust float higher on the mantle than on the oceanic crust?
Continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, causing it to float higher on the mantle. The continental crust is also compositionally different, with a greater amount of less dense materials like granite compared to the basaltic composition of oceanic crust. This difference in density and composition results in the continental crust floating higher on the mantle.
What happens to mantle rock descending oceanic crust scrapes past continental crust?
As the oceanic crust descends beneath the continental crust, the mantle rock is subjected to high pressure and temperature. This causes the mantle rock to partially melt, producing magma that can rise to the surface and form volcanoes. The interaction of the descending oceanic crust with the continental crust can also lead to earthquake activity.
Why does the continental crust go father down into the mantle than the oceanic crust?
Continental crust, on average, is much thicker than oceanic crust. Because of the principles of isostacy and buoyancy, the continental crust will protrude more deeply into the asthenosphere than oceanic crust.
What characteristics of continental crust allow it to float higher on the mantle than oceanic cruast?
Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust because it is thicker and composed of lighter materials, such as granite. This lower density allows continental crust to "float" higher on the more dense mantle beneath it, creating continents.
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.
When continental plates collide what happens to the oceanic crust between them?
When continental plates collide, the denser oceanic crust is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This process can create subduction zones, where the oceanic crust is forced downward into the mantle. The oceanic crust may melt or be recycled back into the mantle in these subduction zones.
Why is oceanic crust always subducted underneath the continental crust?
Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than continental crust, making it more likely to be subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This process occurs because the denser oceanic crust is pulled downward into the mantle at convergent plate boundaries due to gravitational forces. The subduction of oceanic crust beneath continental crust helps to recycle Earth's materials and plays a key role in plate tectonics and the geologic cycle.
Where does the oceanic crust begin?
The oceanic crust begins at the Mid-Ocean Ridge, where tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify, forming new crust. This process of seafloor spreading creates the youngest oceanic crust at the ridge and older crust farther away from it.
