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Two main groups of crust exists: (1) oceanic and (2) continental crust.

Oceanic crust is much heavier and thus much thinner (5-10 km) to be in isostatic equilibrium with the underlying mantle.

Continental crust varies much more in thickness. This can be caused by collision of plates and the subsequent forming of mountains (see the Andes and Himalaya).

Moreover crust can be thinned by severeal processes (e.g. dragging of subducting crust and forced extension by mantle diapeers)

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How wide is the crust?

The Earth's crust can vary in thickness, but on average it is about 5-70 kilometers (3-44 miles) thick. However, it can be much thicker under mountain ranges and thinner under the ocean floor.


What is the thickness of an earth layer?

The thickness of Earth's layers vary depending on the specific layer. For example, the Earth's crust can range from 5-70 km thick, the mantle is about 2,900 km thick, and the outer core is approximately 2,200 km thick. The inner core has a radius of about 1,220 km.


What is the thickness of the earths crust in miles?

The average is 9 miles.The average continental crust thickness is 22 miles thick. The maximum crust thickness is 56 miles underneath the Himalayas, and is 16 miles thick at its thinnest in various places.The average oceanic crust is about 4 miles thick.For the entire Earth then, the average crust thickness is 9 miles.To scale size, the earths crust would be about the thickness of 3 ordinary sheets of paper on a basketball. The thickness of a chicken eggshell would be 16 pieces of paper on a basketball, so the earths crust is 5 times thinner than a typical egg shell. And the crust is only as thick as the egg shell at its maximum thickness underneath Nepal.Sleep tight.


The earths crust varies from 8km to 40 km what does this show?

This variation in the thickness of Earth's crust demonstrates that it is not uniform and can vary significantly depending on location. It indicates the diverse geological processes that have occurred over time, such as the formation of mountain ranges or ocean basins, leading to this variability in crust thickness. Additionally, it highlights the dynamic nature of Earth's lithosphere.


The relative thickness of the Earths crust is similar to the relative thickness of the?

The relative thickness of the Earth's crust is similar to the relative thickness of an apple's skin compared to the apple itself. Both the Earth's crust and an apple's skin are thin outer layers in relation to the entire object.

Related Questions

The crust is only what of earths thickness?

half of earths layer


How wide is earths crust?

Earth's crust is typically between 5 to 70 kilometers (3 to 44 miles) thick, with an average thickness of around 40 kilometers (25 miles). However, this thickness can vary depending on location, with oceanic crust being thinner than continental crust.


How wide is the crust?

The Earth's crust can vary in thickness, but on average it is about 5-70 kilometers (3-44 miles) thick. However, it can be much thicker under mountain ranges and thinner under the ocean floor.


What is the thickness in miles of the earths crust?

Oceanic and continental combined is approximately 25 miles.


What is the thickness of an earth layer?

The thickness of Earth's layers vary depending on the specific layer. For example, the Earth's crust can range from 5-70 km thick, the mantle is about 2,900 km thick, and the outer core is approximately 2,200 km thick. The inner core has a radius of about 1,220 km.


What is the average thickness of Earth's crust?

The Earths Crust can be divided between Oceanic Crust and Continental Crust. Oceanic and Continental Crust are quiet different. The thickness of oceanic crust is between 5km and 10km. It is made of mainly basalt, grabbo and diabise. The thickness of continental crust is between 30km and 50km. It is made up of lighter rocks such as granite.


What is the thickness of the crust in miles?

The average is 9 miles.The average continental crust thickness is 22 miles thick. The maximum crust thickness is 56 miles underneath the Himalayas, and is 16 miles thick at its thinnest in various places.The average oceanic crust is about 4 miles thick.For the entire Earth then, the average crust thickness is 9 miles.To scale size, the earths crust would be about the thickness of 3 ordinary sheets of paper on a basketball. The thickness of a chicken eggshell would be 16 pieces of paper on a basketball, so the earths crust is 5 times thinner than a typical egg shell. And the crust is only as thick as the egg shell at its maximum thickness underneath Nepal.Sleep tight.


What is the thickness of the crust at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

the earths crust is 25 miles beneath the continents and 6.5 miles beneath the ocean


Where would the thickness of the earths crust be about 40 km and where would it be 8 km?

ambot lang


Where would the thickness of the earths crust be about 40 km and where would it be about 8 km?

ambot lang


What is the thickness of the earths crust in miles?

The average is 9 miles.The average continental crust thickness is 22 miles thick. The maximum crust thickness is 56 miles underneath the Himalayas, and is 16 miles thick at its thinnest in various places.The average oceanic crust is about 4 miles thick.For the entire Earth then, the average crust thickness is 9 miles.To scale size, the earths crust would be about the thickness of 3 ordinary sheets of paper on a basketball. The thickness of a chicken eggshell would be 16 pieces of paper on a basketball, so the earths crust is 5 times thinner than a typical egg shell. And the crust is only as thick as the egg shell at its maximum thickness underneath Nepal.Sleep tight.


The earths crust varies from 8km to 40 km what does this show?

This variation in the thickness of Earth's crust demonstrates that it is not uniform and can vary significantly depending on location. It indicates the diverse geological processes that have occurred over time, such as the formation of mountain ranges or ocean basins, leading to this variability in crust thickness. Additionally, it highlights the dynamic nature of Earth's lithosphere.