Younger
Subduction zones or trenches.
The subduction process
The density of the continental (granitic) lithosphere is lower than oceanic (basaltic) lithosphere. Consequently, due to buoyancy, the continental crust rides above the oceanic lithosphere and thus is not subducted. However, it is thought that pieces of the continental lithosphere break off and are subducted along with the oceanic lithosphere.
no
The two layers of the lithosphere is made up of the oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is associated with oceanic crust and the ocean basins. The continental lithosphere is associated with the continental crust.
Younger
It gets younger.
Younger. The mid-ocean ridge is formed from new material being thrust up from inside the Earth.
Subduction zones or trenches.
As odd as it is to think of things this way, continental lithosphere is more buoyant than oceanic lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is more dense.
New lithosphere is constantly being produced at the oceanic ridges. Lithosphere is consumed at the subduction zones. A balance is maintained because older, denser proportions of oceanic lithosphere descend into the mantle at a rate equal to seafloor production.
The subduction process
As odd as it is to think of things this way, continental lithosphere is more buoyant than oceanic lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is more dense.
As odd as it is to think of things this way, continental lithosphere is more buoyant than oceanic lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is more dense.
An island arc forms.
The lithosphere is composed of crust and hard upper mantle. The oceanic lithosphere would be hard upper mantle and basaltic oceanic crust.
The lithosphere is composed of crust and hard upper mantle. The oceanic lithosphere would be hard upper mantle and basaltic oceanic crust.