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Does continental lithosphere contain more mafic rocks than oceanic lithosphere?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
No continental lithosphere contains more felsic rocks than oceanic lithosphere.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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What is the lithosphere made of mafic or felsic?
Its made up of both. Oceanic crust is mostly mafic magma (basalt) and continental crust is mafic and felsic. The lithosphere also contains the upper portion of the upper mantle which is mostly mafic. The earths crust is 60% Si02 (silicates). Felsic rocks are much more silicate heavy than mafic. So one would assume that the crust is more felsic than mafic. That's just my conceptual thought process so don't take me on my word. Then again, the lithosphere also contains the upper mantle which is heavily mafic. So maybe the lithosphere in total is more mafic? Basically just typing thoughts down as they enter my brain. Answer I know for certain- Lithosphere is mafic and felsic.
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.
What accounts for the difference in density between oceanic crust and contenetial crust?
Continental crust is made of granite, and forms the continents and areas of shallow seabed close to their shores. It is less dense than the material of the mantle, which consists of mafic rock. Continental crust is then less-dense than oceanic crust, which, due to sea-floor spreading, is hardened mantle/lithosphere.
How does the density of oceanic crust differ from that of continental crust?
Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust and is comprised of mainly mafic minerals (Mg, Fe), as opposed to continental crust, which is mainly felsic (Al and Si rich).
Is basalt metamorphic?
Yes. Basalt is an extrusive mafic igneous rock.
What is the lithosphere made of mafic or felsic?
Its made up of both. Oceanic crust is mostly mafic magma (basalt) and continental crust is mafic and felsic. The lithosphere also contains the upper portion of the upper mantle which is mostly mafic. The earths crust is 60% Si02 (silicates). Felsic rocks are much more silicate heavy than mafic. So one would assume that the crust is more felsic than mafic. That's just my conceptual thought process so don't take me on my word. Then again, the lithosphere also contains the upper mantle which is heavily mafic. So maybe the lithosphere in total is more mafic? Basically just typing thoughts down as they enter my brain. Answer I know for certain- Lithosphere is mafic and felsic.
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.
What is oceanic crust composed of?
The oceanic crust composed of sima, mafic rocks and basalt. This is the top layer of the lithosphere which is found in the ocean floor.
Is the oceanic crust felsic or mafic?
Oceanic crust is mafic.
The oceans crust is composed of what?
The oceanic crust composed of sima, mafic rocks and basalt. This is the top layer of the lithosphere which is found in the ocean floor.
What accounts for the difference in density between oceanic crust and contenetial crust?
Continental crust is made of granite, and forms the continents and areas of shallow seabed close to their shores. It is less dense than the material of the mantle, which consists of mafic rock. Continental crust is then less-dense than oceanic crust, which, due to sea-floor spreading, is hardened mantle/lithosphere.
How does density of the oceanic crust differ from that of continental crust?
Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust and is comprised of mainly mafic minerals (Mg, Fe), as opposed to continental crust, which is mainly felsic (Al and Si rich).
How does density of oceanic crust differ from that of continental crust?
Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust and is comprised of mainly mafic minerals (Mg, Fe), as opposed to continental crust, which is mainly felsic (Al and Si rich).
How does the density of oceanic crust differ from that of continental crust?
Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust and is comprised of mainly mafic minerals (Mg, Fe), as opposed to continental crust, which is mainly felsic (Al and Si rich).
What is the difference in density in mafic rocks in relation to felsic rocks?
Mafic rocks, such as those found in the oceanic crust, are more dense than the felsic rocks found in the continental crust.
Is basalt metamorphic?
Yes. Basalt is an extrusive mafic igneous rock.
What is the ocean's crust made up of?
The oceanic crust is made up of mafic rocks which is rich in magnesium and iron. These rocks are also referred to as sima. The oceanic crust is similar to the continental crust, except it is thinner yet denser.
