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Two differences are that the oceanic crust is more dense than continental, and continental crust is composed mostly of granite, while oceanic is mostly basalt

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Janet Torp

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What is the difference between continential and oceanic crust?

Continental crust is thicker, less dense, and typically older than oceanic crust. Oceanic crust is thinner, more dense, and younger as it is constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges and being recycled at subduction zones.


What are 2 differences about the cotineantal and oceanic crust?

The two main differences between continental and oceanic crust are their composition and thickness. Continental crust is primarily made up of granitic rocks, which are less dense than the basaltic rocks that make up oceanic crust. Additionally, continental crust is much thicker, averaging around 35 km thick, compared to oceanic crust, which is typically around 7 km thick. These differences in composition and thickness contribute to the contrasting properties and behaviors of continental and oceanic crust in geological processes.


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 is the difference between the continental crust and the oceanic?

Continental crust is much older, granitic in nature, and less dense than oceanic crust which is composed of basaltic rock. Oceanic crust is in a constant state of creation and destruction through the processes of plate tectonics. Oceanic crust is also considerably less thick than continental crust.

Related Questions

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.


What are two difference between the continental crust and the oceanic?

Two differences are that the oceanic crust is more dense than continental, and continental crust is composed mostly of granite, while oceanic is mostly basalt


What accounts for the difference between the oceanic crust and continental crust?

The oceanic crust is made up of basalt while continental crust is made up of mostly granite.


Continental crust and the difference between oceanic crust?

Oceanic crust is mostly basaltic, which is denser, while continental crust is made from mostly basaltic and sedimentary rocks, which are less dense. This difference in density is why the oceanic crust sinks lower (thus the oceans) and the continental crust rides higher (thus the continents) on the mantle.


What is the difference between the thickness of the continetal crust and oceanic crust?

In technical terms, the oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust so when the continental crust and the oceanic crust meet the continental crust will sink under and the oceanic crust will slide over and a volcano will be formed as well as producing earthquakes in the process.


What and the difference between oceanic and continental?

Oceanic crust is mostly basaltic, which is denser, while continental crust is made from mostly basaltic and sedimentary rocks, which are less dense. This difference in density is why the oceanic crust sinks lower (thus the oceans) and the continental crust rides higher (thus the continents) on the mantle.


What is the difference between continentalcrust and the oceanic?

Continental crust is thicker and less dense while oceanic crust is thinner and more dense, so essentially continental crust takes a higher position than oceanic crust. When oceanic and continental plates collide, oceanic plates slide underneath continental plates(if this makes what I said any clearer).


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.


Is the continental crust thinner than the oceanic crust?

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


What is older the oceanic crust or the continental crust?

Continental crust is far older than oceanic crust.


What is the difference between the continental crust and the oceanic crusts?

Most significantly, there is a material difference in the weight and density of the two types of crust. This manifests itself when tectonic movement brings oceanic in continental plates into collision. Oceanic crust is relatively denser but typically about 100km this. Continental crust is lighter but almost twice as thick--about 200km.


What is the difference between continential and oceanic crust?

Continental crust is thicker, less dense, and typically older than oceanic crust. Oceanic crust is thinner, more dense, and younger as it is constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges and being recycled at subduction zones.