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The term "continental" typically refers to continental crust, which is generally thicker and less dense than oceanic crust. While continental crust can be considered "heavier" in terms of mass due to its greater thickness, it is less dense than the denser oceanic crust. Therefore, in terms of density, oceanic crust is heavier, but in terms of overall mass, continents can be heavier due to their larger volume.
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What happens when a heavier oceanic crust collides with a continental crust?
Trench
What is difference of the continental crust and the oceanic crust?
Continental crust is thicker but less dense, and oceanic crust is thinner but more dense, making it heavier.
Which kind of earth's plates is heavier and which is lighter?
Oceanic plates are heavier than continental plates because they are denser and thinner. Continental plates are lighter because they are less dense and thicker. The difference in density and composition accounts for the varying weights of the Earth's plates.
Why are continental plates less dense than oceanic plates kids answer?
Continental crust and continental crust are made of different types of rock. The rocks in the continental crust do not contain as many of the heavier elements as the ones in the oceanic crust do.
Which type of crust is heavier and younger?
Oceanic crust is heavier and younger compared to continental crust. It is denser because it is composed of basaltic rocks, while continental crust is made up of less dense granitic rocks. Additionally, oceanic crust is continually being formed at mid-ocean ridges through seafloor spreading, making it much younger on average than continental crust.
What crust is heavier?
Continental crust is generally lighter than oceanic crust because it is thicker and less dense. Oceanic crust, being thinner and denser, tends to be heavier.
What are the two theories on the continental divide?
The main theory on the continental divide is that they relate to the plate techonics theory of the Earth's crust. The other theory is the continental drift theory where lighter rocks float on heavier crustal material.
Why is the main reason that oceanic crust is heavier than continental crust?
Oceanic crust is mafic in composition and continental crust is felsic in composition. Mafic minerals generally have a higher density than felsic minerals and therefore, the oceanic crust is heavier.
When a continental plate and an oceanic plate collide why does the oceanic plate sink below the continental plate?
The oceanic plate is denser than the continental plate due to its composition of heavier mafic rock. This density difference causes the oceanic plate to sink below the continental plate in a process known as subduction.
Oceanic crust is lighter than the continental crust?
No, the oceanic crust is denser. That's why the land areas "float" so much higher than the ocean bedrock.
What is the process where a heavier sea plate dives beneath a lighter continental plate is called?
an example of this is the marinas trench of the coast of japan and the continental plate of the Philippine's. the more denser oceanic plate is forced under by the lighter continental plate. this normally happens at destructive plate margins.
A process that occurs when a heavier sea plate dives beneath a lighter continental plate?
This process is known as subduction. As the heavier sea plate is forced beneath the lighter continental plate, it can create deep-sea trenches and can lead to volcanic activity on the Earth's surface. Subduction zones are often associated with seismic activity, including earthquakes.
