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How does the rock under the continents differ from rock under the oceans?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What are the earths plates made of?
parts of the crust and upper mantle
What is the most common igneous rock of the continent?
Granite for the continents; Basalt for the oceans.
What is the crust under the oceans made of?
The plates under the Earth are made of lots of types of rock(sedimentary metamorphic and igneous rock) but underneath is the Earths mantle, a liquid like mix of melted rock. I am not that old but am taking geography, sorry if this doesn't help but good luck ;)
What fractured rock layer is found at the edge of continents?
The answer is fault. It's the edge of continents.
Why were the first continents made from granite?
The older, basaltic rocks that formed on the Earth before granite first developed were to easily weathered by the ocean to form permanent continents. The ocean floor is made of basalt, but when basaltic formations extended to the surface of early oceans, they were quickly weathered away. Granite first formed when underwater volcanoes erupted, and the magma was cooled extremely quickly, forming a less dense, but much more durable, rock than basalt. These early granite formations served as the "anchors" for the early continents to form upon. In short, granite was the most durable form of rock to develop on early Earth, and, as such, it provided a durable place for the continents to develop on, safe from the erosive forces of the early oceans.
What are the earths plates made of?
parts of the crust and upper mantle
A continuous layer of basaltic rock beneath both the continents and the oceans are?
The Crust of the Earth ?
What is the most common igneous rock of the continent?
Granite for the continents; Basalt for the oceans.
The floor of heavier rock under the oceans is composed of?
basalt.
Most abundant intrusive igneous rock?
On the continents--granite. Under the seas--gabbro.
What are the 2 ways that limestone can be formed?
By cooling of molten rock under the oceans
Why is there rock under Antarctica?
Antarctica is a continent -- 98% of which is covered by an ice sheet. Continents are composed of 'rock'. As to why -- this is a mystery best answered the same way it wold be answered for all continents on earth.
How would continental drift explain a rock sequence being found on both South America and Africa?
The Pangaea theory says that long ago, all of the continents were one. Now, they clearly are not. However, archaeologists and scientists of the like are finding that certain places in continents that are oceans apart have similar rock patterns, and, if you look close enough, each continent fits into each other. So essentially, similar rock patterns on different continents is likely a result of continental drift because according to "Pangaea", all of the continents used to be one.
The rock that underlies the oceans is granite?
False. The oceans are underlain by marine sediments and then a type of igneous rock known as basalt.
What is the common rock in the oceans floor?
basalt is the common rock
In earths crust What type of rock is found under the oceans?
Oceanic crust, new oceanic crust is produced by seafloor spreading.
What are two land forms?
Lakes, Rivers, Streams, Mountains, Cliffs, Shorelines, Rock formations, Deserts, Oceans, Deep-sea Trenches, Valleys, Hills, Continents,Caves. Just to name a few.
