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Are rocks on the seafloor older then the continental rocks?
No. Continental rocks are much older. New sea floor is constantly being create and destroyed. At mid-ocean ridges, the sea floor spreads and magma from deeper in the Earth pushes up to create new ocean crust. At places where ocean plates contact continental plates, the ocean plate is often pushed underneath the continental plate, in a process called subduction. As the ocean plate is pushed back down into the Earth, the heat and the pressure melt it down, destroying it. Since continental plates are very rarely subducted, and, with the exception of places like Iceland where a mid-ocean ridge actually rises above sea level, generally rocks on the continent will be older.
What type of rocks are found in a continental shelf?
The rocks found in a continental shelf are often sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, shale, and limestone. These rocks are formed from the accumulation of sediments on the ocean floor over long periods of time. Additionally, some continental shelves may also have igneous rocks brought up from volcanic activity.
Why is it that ancient rocks are found on the continents and not on the ocean floor?
The entire ocean floor is recycled in roughly 160 million year cycles through the process of plate tectonics. Because continental plates do not subduct, the rock is much, much older, particularly in the continental interior.
Where can you find the youngest rocks on the ocean floor?
The youngest rocks on the ocean floor are typically found along mid-ocean ridges. These areas are where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity and the process of seafloor spreading. As the magma cools and solidifies, it creates new rocks that are relatively young compared to rocks found in other parts of the ocean floor.
Portion of the earth's crust that lies beneath the ocean floor?
The portion of Earth's crust that lies beneath the ocean floor is called oceanic crust. It is thinner and denser than continental crust, primarily composed of basaltic rocks, and formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity.
What is the compositions of the ocean floor?
The ocean floor is composed of basaltic rocks. Very mafic (dark) in color. It is thinner yet heavier than continental rock.
Why do rocks that compose the ocean floor younger than most continental rockshttpwwwanswerscomQWhy do rocks that compose the ocean floor younger than most continental rocks?
Rocks that compose the ocean floor are younger than most continental rocks primarily due to the process of plate tectonics and sea-floor spreading. New oceanic crust is continuously formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity as tectonic plates pull apart, while older oceanic crust is eventually subducted back into the mantle at convergent boundaries. In contrast, continental rocks are generally older because they have been subjected to less recycling and can accumulate over billions of years. This ongoing cycle results in younger oceanic rocks compared to the ancient continental crust.
Are rocks on the seafloor older then the continental rocks?
No. Continental rocks are much older. New sea floor is constantly being create and destroyed. At mid-ocean ridges, the sea floor spreads and magma from deeper in the Earth pushes up to create new ocean crust. At places where ocean plates contact continental plates, the ocean plate is often pushed underneath the continental plate, in a process called subduction. As the ocean plate is pushed back down into the Earth, the heat and the pressure melt it down, destroying it. Since continental plates are very rarely subducted, and, with the exception of places like Iceland where a mid-ocean ridge actually rises above sea level, generally rocks on the continent will be older.
What type of rocks are found in a continental shelf?
The rocks found in a continental shelf are often sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, shale, and limestone. These rocks are formed from the accumulation of sediments on the ocean floor over long periods of time. Additionally, some continental shelves may also have igneous rocks brought up from volcanic activity.
Is ocean floor smooth?
The ocean floor is not smooth.The ocean floor is made up of rocks, ledges and ditches.
Why is it that ancient rocks are found on the continents and not on the ocean floor?
The entire ocean floor is recycled in roughly 160 million year cycles through the process of plate tectonics. Because continental plates do not subduct, the rock is much, much older, particularly in the continental interior.
The youngest rocks on the ocean floor are located where?
The youngest rocks on the ocean floor are located at mid-ocean ridges. These ridges are always found at divergent boundaries.
Is the underlying rock beneath the ocean floor silica?
The underlying rock beneath the ocean floor is primarily basalt, which is a mafic rock rich in iron and magnesium. Silica-rich rocks like granite are typically found in continental crust, not beneath the ocean floor.
Why do you think that old rocks are rare one ocean floor?
There are no rocks on the ocean floor because they turn to sand. The moving of the water gradually wears away at the rocks.
Why was the discovery of no rocks older than 2billion years old on the ocean floor so important?
It is an indication that the ocean floor is moving, being created by rifting and destroyed by subduction, thus providing evidence of plate tectonics and continental drift.
What are types of evidence that the sea floor is expanding?
Rocks have a north and south pole. The sea floor was discovered to have different magnetic poles on cracks in the ocean floor.
Where can you find the youngest rocks on the ocean floor?
The youngest rocks on the ocean floor are typically found along mid-ocean ridges. These areas are where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity and the process of seafloor spreading. As the magma cools and solidifies, it creates new rocks that are relatively young compared to rocks found in other parts of the ocean floor.
