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Continental crust is much thicker than oceanic crust. However, continental crust is denser and will therefore sink in subduction zones.

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Differences of the continental crust and oceanic crust?

The continental crust is thicker, less dense, and older than the oceanic crust. It is composed mainly of granite rocks and is found beneath continental landmasses. In contrast, the oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and younger, with basalt rocks being the dominant rock type. It forms the ocean floor and is continually created and destroyed through the process of seafloor spreading and subduction.


How do continental crust differ from oceanic?

Continental crust is predominantly composed mostly of rock of a granitic composition, higher in silica and aluminum, with layers of sedimentary rock above. Oceanic crust is predominantly basaltic (higher in iron and magnesium), darker, thinner, more dense, and formed from rapid cooling of lava.


Which is thicker continental crust oceanic crust?

Continental crust is the thicker of the two: it extends far beneath and above the Oceanic crust.


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.


Is continental crust darker in color than oceanic or lighter?

Continental crust is generally lighter in color than oceanic crust. This is because continental crust is composed of lighter-colored rocks such as granite, which contain lighter minerals like quartz and feldspar. In contrast, oceanic crust is made up of darker-colored rocks like basalt, which contain heavier minerals like pyroxene and olivine.

Related Questions

Who discovered the oceanic crust compare to the continental crust?

in the mantel


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 older the oceanic crust or the continental crust?

Continental crust is far older than oceanic crust.


Is the continental crust thinner than the oceanic crust?

It is not. The oceanic crust is thinner than the continental crust!


Differences of the continental crust and oceanic crust?

The continental crust is thicker, less dense, and older than the oceanic crust. It is composed mainly of granite rocks and is found beneath continental landmasses. In contrast, the oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and younger, with basalt rocks being the dominant rock type. It forms the ocean floor and is continually created and destroyed through the process of seafloor spreading and subduction.


How do continental crust differ from oceanic?

Continental crust is predominantly composed mostly of rock of a granitic composition, higher in silica and aluminum, with layers of sedimentary rock above. Oceanic crust is predominantly basaltic (higher in iron and magnesium), darker, thinner, more dense, and formed from rapid cooling of lava.


Which is thicker continental crust oceanic crust?

Continental crust is the thicker of the two: it extends far beneath and above the Oceanic crust.


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.


What crust is older in years the continental or the oceanic?

Continental crust is far older than oceanic crust.


Is continental crust darker in color than oceanic or lighter?

Continental crust is generally lighter in color than oceanic crust. This is because continental crust is composed of lighter-colored rocks such as granite, which contain lighter minerals like quartz and feldspar. In contrast, oceanic crust is made up of darker-colored rocks like basalt, which contain heavier minerals like pyroxene and olivine.


How does the age of oceanic crust compare to the age of continental crust?

Oceanic crust is generally younger than continental crust. Oceanic crust is continuously formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity and then gradually moves away from the ridge, undergoing processes that make it relatively young compared to the older continental crust.


The two types of crust?

Oceanic and Continental crust. Oceanic crust is made of basalt. Continental crust is made of granite