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Yes, that is the reason oceanic crust is at a lower elevation compared to continental crust. Oceanic crust sub-ducts under the less dense continental crust. Continental crust is much older than oceanic crust, because oceanic crust is constantly being destroyed and created.

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When a continental crustal plate collides with an oceanic crustal plate the continental crust is forced to move over the oceanic crust What is the primary reason that the continental crust stays on?

The continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, which allows it to stay on top during a collision. The low density and greater thickness of continental crust help it resist subduction beneath the oceanic crust.


Why is oceanic crust lower than the continental crust?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it is formed from basaltic magma at mid-ocean ridges, which cools quickly and is more compact. This denser oceanic crust tends to sink lower into the mantle compared to the less dense continental crust, which is primarily composed of less dense granite rocks.


How does the density of oceanic crust differ from that of continental crust?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it is primarily composed of basalt, which is a mafic rock with a higher density than the felsic rocks that make up continental crust. Additionally, oceanic crust is thinner and younger than continental crust, contributing to its higher density.


Why does the continental crust float higher on the mantle than on the oceanic crust?

Continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, causing it to float higher on the mantle. The continental crust is also compositionally different, with a greater amount of less dense materials like granite compared to the basaltic composition of oceanic crust. This difference in density and composition results in the continental crust floating higher on the mantle.


Is the density low or high for the oceanic crust?

The density of oceanic crust is generally higher than continental crust due to its composition of mostly basaltic rock. This higher density causes oceanic crust to be thinner and denser, leading to its subduction beneath continental crust at convergent plate boundaries.

Related Questions

When a continental crustal plate collides with an oceanic crustal plate the continental crust is forced to move over the oceanic crust What is the primary reason that the continental crust stays on?

The continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, which allows it to stay on top during a collision. The low density and greater thickness of continental crust help it resist subduction beneath the oceanic crust.


What is the density of continental crust and oceanic crust?

The specific gravity, on average, of continental crust is 2.7. For oceanic crust, it's 2.9.


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.


Why is oceanic crust lower than the continental crust?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it is formed from basaltic magma at mid-ocean ridges, which cools quickly and is more compact. This denser oceanic crust tends to sink lower into the mantle compared to the less dense continental crust, which is primarily composed of less dense granite rocks.


How does the density of oceanic crust differ from that of continental crust?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it is primarily composed of basalt, which is a mafic rock with a higher density than the felsic rocks that make up continental crust. Additionally, oceanic crust is thinner and younger than continental crust, contributing to its higher density.


What portion of the earths crust is more dense oceanic or contenintal?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust. Oceanic crust has a density of about 3 g/cm^3, while continental crust has a lower density of about 2.7 g/cm^3.


Why does the continental crust float higher on the mantle than on the oceanic crust?

Continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, causing it to float higher on the mantle. The continental crust is also compositionally different, with a greater amount of less dense materials like granite compared to the basaltic composition of oceanic crust. This difference in density and composition results in the continental crust floating higher on the mantle.


Why does the continental crust float higher on the athenosphere than oceanic crust?

The continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, allowing it to float higher on the asthenosphere. This is because the continental crust is composed of less dense rock types like granite, while the oceanic crust is made up of denser basalt. As a result, the less dense continental crust floats higher due to its lower density and greater thickness compared to oceanic crust.


Why does the oceanic crust sink beneath the continental crust at the subduction zone?

density


Is the density low or high for the oceanic crust?

The density of oceanic crust is generally higher than continental crust due to its composition of mostly basaltic rock. This higher density causes oceanic crust to be thinner and denser, leading to its subduction beneath continental crust at convergent plate boundaries.


What is a continental crust?

the continental crust is the plate crust formed under the continent (less density) as opposed to oceanic crustformed under the ocean(higher density)


What is denser oceanic crust or continental crust?

Oceanic crust: It is thinner than continental crust, or sial, generally less than 10 kilometers thick, however it is denser, having a mean density of about 3.3 grams per cubic centimeter.