Continental plates are massively granitic rock, oceanic plates massively basaltic rock, therefore continental rock is less dense than seafloor rock and has a different chemical and mineralogical composition.
The primary force that causes the seafloor to spread and continents to drift is plate tectonics. This process is driven by the movement of molten rock in the Earth's mantle, which generates forces that push apart tectonic plates, leading to seafloor spreading and continental drift.
The rock of the continental crust is mostly granitic in composition, meaning it is a high silicate intrusive igneous rock. The rock of the oceanic crust is basaltic in origin, meaning it is lower in silica and higher in heavier elements like iron and magnesium and is classified as a mafic igneous rock. Oceanic crust is therefore more dense than continental crust.
Old sea floor rocks are much younger than old continental rocks! This is because the oceanic lithospheric plate forming the seafloor tends to be recycled at places known as subduction zones where it is forced below less dense (commonly continental) lithosphere. As such the oldest continental rocks tend to be 2-3 billion years old whereas oceanic crust neve tends to be more than a few hundred million years old.
Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than continental crust. Oceanic crust is primarily made up of basalt rock, while continental crust is composed of lighter granite rock. Additionally, oceanic crust is constantly being created and destroyed through seafloor spreading and subduction processes, whereas continental crust is relatively stable.
In continental drift it says that they were drifted apart by the spin of the earth and in seafloor spreading the earths crust is drifted apart by the ridges in the mid-ocean.
The primary force that causes the seafloor to spread and continents to drift is plate tectonics. This process is driven by the movement of molten rock in the Earth's mantle, which generates forces that push apart tectonic plates, leading to seafloor spreading and continental drift.
continental rise
continental rise
Seafloor spreading is triggered by a rift in a continental land mass.
divergant boundries. new rock is formed and pushes the older seafloor outward towards the continental crust.
The region where the seafloor is forced beneath the continental plate is called a subduction zone. When the seafloor descends down it produces a deep-ocean trench.
Away from the continental slopes, the ocean floor crust is basalt. That is generally covered by silt, though there are areas of bare rock
When a seafloor plate collides with a continental plate, the denser seafloor plate will typically be subducted beneath the continental plate. This process can create deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and earthquakes. It may also lead to the formation of mountain ranges on the continental plate.
Seafloor Spreading helped move the Continents to their current location.
The rock of the continental crust is mostly granitic in composition, meaning it is a high silicate intrusive igneous rock. The rock of the oceanic crust is basaltic in origin, meaning it is lower in silica and higher in heavier elements like iron and magnesium and is classified as a mafic igneous rock. Oceanic crust is therefore more dense than continental crust.
the subduction zone
Old sea floor rocks are much younger than old continental rocks! This is because the oceanic lithospheric plate forming the seafloor tends to be recycled at places known as subduction zones where it is forced below less dense (commonly continental) lithosphere. As such the oldest continental rocks tend to be 2-3 billion years old whereas oceanic crust neve tends to be more than a few hundred million years old.