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how many tectonic plates are made of oceanic crust

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Do tectonic plates consist of continental or oceanic crust?

Tectonic plates consist of both continental and oceanic crust. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that constantly move and interact with each other. Some plates are predominantly made up of continental crust, while others are mostly composed of oceanic crust.


What type of crust is the earths tectonic plates made up of?

The Earth's tectonic plates are made up of the lithosphere, which consists of the crust and the upper part of the mantle. The crust is primarily composed of solid rock made up of elements such as oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and iron.


What are most tectonic plates composed of?

Tectonic plates are composed of both oceanic and continental crust. Oceanic plates are predominantly made of basaltic rock, while continental plates are primarily composed of granitic rock. The Earth's lithosphere, which includes the tectonic plates, is made up of these crustal rocks.


C There are two types of tectonic plates oceanic and continental what is the difference between these two types of plates?

The lithosphere displaces the asthenoshpere. Thick tectonic plates, such as those made of continental crust, displace more asthenosphere than do thin plates, such as those made of oceanic lithosphere. The lithosphere displaces the asthenoshpere. Thick tectonic plates, such as those made of continental crust, displace more asthenosphere than do thin plates, such as those made of oceanic lithosphere.


What two types of crust are the tectonic plates made from?

Short Answer: The Earth has two types of crust, continental crust and oceanic crust. Basaltic rocks are the main component of oceanic crust. Continental crust consists mainly of lower density granitic rocks. The Better Answer: Tectonic plates and the Earth's crust are not the same thing. Tectonic plates are made of the Earth's crust, plus the upper layers of the Earth's mantle. Together the crust and the more solid upper mantle form the lithosphere. The crust itself is relatively thin, varying from a few kilometers thick to nearly a hundred kilometers. With the material of the mantle, the tectonic plates are 50 to 200 kilometers thick. Some plates are entirely continental and some are entirely oceanic and some are combined. Continental crust and oceanic crust are different in make up and properties. The continental crust has a density of about 2.7 g/cm3 and is mostly granitic, made of silicate materials with more aluminum and less iron and magnesium. Continental crust is generally thicker, in the range of 25 to 70 kilometers. Oceanic crust is more dense (density of about 2.9 g/cm3) and the average oceanic thickness is in the range of 7-10 kilometers. Oceanic crust is primarily basalt, composed of silicate material which is rich in iron and magnesium. Though only 40% of the Earth's surface is continental crust, there is more of it because it is thicker. Continental crust is about 70% of the volume of Earth's crust. Both types of crusts are less dense than the material of the Earth's mantle (density of about 3.3 g/cm3), so the "float" on the mantle.

Related Questions

Do tectonic plates consist of continental or oceanic crust?

Tectonic plates consist of both continental and oceanic crust. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that constantly move and interact with each other. Some plates are predominantly made up of continental crust, while others are mostly composed of oceanic crust.


What are most of tectonic plates made of?

Most tectonic plates are made of both oceanic and continental crust. Oceanic crust is primarily composed of basalt, a dense volcanic rock, while continental crust is made up of granite and other lighter rocks. These differences in composition play a role in the movements and interactions of tectonic plates.


What type of crust is the earths tectonic plates made up of?

The Earth's tectonic plates are made up of the lithosphere, which consists of the crust and the upper part of the mantle. The crust is primarily composed of solid rock made up of elements such as oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and iron.


What are most tectonic plates composed of?

Tectonic plates are composed of both oceanic and continental crust. Oceanic plates are predominantly made of basaltic rock, while continental plates are primarily composed of granitic rock. The Earth's lithosphere, which includes the tectonic plates, is made up of these crustal rocks.


What is the rigid part of the tectonic plates that is made up of oceanic crust or continental crust and the upper mantle?

the lithoseshere


What are the tectonic plates large pieces of?

lithosphere


What two kinds of crust do tectonic plates consits of?

Tectonic plates consist of two main types of crust: continental crust and oceanic crust. Continental crust is thicker and less dense, primarily composed of granitic rocks, while oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and primarily made of basaltic rocks. These differences in composition and density play a crucial role in tectonic activity and the formation of various geological features.


C There are two types of tectonic plates oceanic and continental what is the difference between these two types of plates?

The lithosphere displaces the asthenoshpere. Thick tectonic plates, such as those made of continental crust, displace more asthenosphere than do thin plates, such as those made of oceanic lithosphere. The lithosphere displaces the asthenoshpere. Thick tectonic plates, such as those made of continental crust, displace more asthenosphere than do thin plates, such as those made of oceanic lithosphere.


Is it true that tectonic plates made up of land and ocean floor?

Yes, there are two types of crust on the Earth, oceanic and continental. The crust under the oceans is, of course, oceanic crust which has more mass than continental crust. Each type is formed from plates of different size and shape.


Can plates be made of oceanic and continental crust?

yes


What two types of crust are the tectonic plates made from?

Short Answer: The Earth has two types of crust, continental crust and oceanic crust. Basaltic rocks are the main component of oceanic crust. Continental crust consists mainly of lower density granitic rocks. The Better Answer: Tectonic plates and the Earth's crust are not the same thing. Tectonic plates are made of the Earth's crust, plus the upper layers of the Earth's mantle. Together the crust and the more solid upper mantle form the lithosphere. The crust itself is relatively thin, varying from a few kilometers thick to nearly a hundred kilometers. With the material of the mantle, the tectonic plates are 50 to 200 kilometers thick. Some plates are entirely continental and some are entirely oceanic and some are combined. Continental crust and oceanic crust are different in make up and properties. The continental crust has a density of about 2.7 g/cm3 and is mostly granitic, made of silicate materials with more aluminum and less iron and magnesium. Continental crust is generally thicker, in the range of 25 to 70 kilometers. Oceanic crust is more dense (density of about 2.9 g/cm3) and the average oceanic thickness is in the range of 7-10 kilometers. Oceanic crust is primarily basalt, composed of silicate material which is rich in iron and magnesium. Though only 40% of the Earth's surface is continental crust, there is more of it because it is thicker. Continental crust is about 70% of the volume of Earth's crust. Both types of crusts are less dense than the material of the Earth's mantle (density of about 3.3 g/cm3), so the "float" on the mantle.


Are oceanic plates only made up of oceanic crust?

yes but oceanic crust is younger than continental crust because of deep sea trenches