answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The surface of the earth that is found on the continents is called the continental crust, which has a thickness of around 25 to 70 km. This crust is made up of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, and that together make up the structure of our continents. As the name implies, oceanic crust is the floor of the oceans. Obviously, this crust is thinner than the continental crust. The major type of rocks making up oceanic crust is basalt. In general, the thickness of oceanic crust is around 7 to 10 km. what they have in common is continental and oceanic crust are both destroyed in subduction zones and lie atop Earth's mantle, though they differ in thickness, density, age and chemical composition.

User Avatar

Cool beans

Lvl 2
3y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

1mo ago

Oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and younger than continental crust. It is mainly composed of basalt rocks and is more susceptible to subduction due to its density. In contrast, continental crust is thicker, less dense, and older, primarily composed of granite rocks, making it more buoyant and less prone to subduction.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What Compare and contrast oceanic crust with continental crust both types of crust?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Earth Science

Compare and contrast oceanic crust and continental crust?

Oceanic crust is denser, thinner, and younger than continental crust. It is primarily composed of basalt rocks and forms the ocean floor. Continental crust is less dense, thicker, and older, mainly consisting of granite rocks and forming the continents. Both types of crust are made of solidified lava from volcanic activity but exhibit differences in composition and structure.


Differences of the continental crust and oceanic crust?

The continental crust is thicker, less dense, and older than the oceanic crust. It is composed mainly of granite rocks and is found beneath continental landmasses. In contrast, the oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and younger, with basalt rocks being the dominant rock type. It forms the ocean floor and is continually created and destroyed through the process of seafloor spreading and subduction.


How do continental crust differ from oceanic?

Continental crust is thicker, less dense, and older than oceanic crust. It is primarily composed of granite and sedimentary rocks. In contrast, oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and younger, and is primarily composed of basalt.


Which is thicker continental crust oceanic crust?

Continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust. Continental crust can be up to 70 kilometers thick, while oceanic crust is typically around 7 kilometers thick.


Is continental crust darker in color than oceanic or lighter?

Continental crust is generally lighter in color than oceanic crust. This is because continental crust is composed of lighter-colored rocks such as granite, which contain lighter minerals like quartz and feldspar. In contrast, oceanic crust is made up of darker-colored rocks like basalt, which contain heavier minerals like pyroxene and olivine.

Related questions

Who discovered the oceanic crust compare to the continental crust?

in the mantel


Compare and contrast oceanic crust and continental crust?

Oceanic crust is denser, thinner, and younger than continental crust. It is primarily composed of basalt rocks and forms the ocean floor. Continental crust is less dense, thicker, and older, mainly consisting of granite rocks and forming the continents. Both types of crust are made of solidified lava from volcanic activity but exhibit differences in composition and structure.


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.


Differences of the continental crust and oceanic crust?

The continental crust is thicker, less dense, and older than the oceanic crust. It is composed mainly of granite rocks and is found beneath continental landmasses. In contrast, the oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and younger, with basalt rocks being the dominant rock type. It forms the ocean floor and is continually created and destroyed through the process of seafloor spreading and subduction.


Is the continental crust thinner than the oceanic crust?

It is not. The oceanic crust is thinner than the continental crust!


What is older the oceanic crust or the continental crust?

Continental crust is far older than oceanic crust.


How do continental crust differ from oceanic?

Continental crust is thicker, less dense, and older than oceanic crust. It is primarily composed of granite and sedimentary rocks. In contrast, oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and younger, and is primarily composed of basalt.


Which is thicker continental crust oceanic crust?

Continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust. Continental crust can be up to 70 kilometers thick, while oceanic crust is typically around 7 kilometers thick.


Is continental crust darker in color than oceanic or lighter?

Continental crust is generally lighter in color than oceanic crust. This is because continental crust is composed of lighter-colored rocks such as granite, which contain lighter minerals like quartz and feldspar. In contrast, oceanic crust is made up of darker-colored rocks like basalt, which contain heavier minerals like pyroxene and olivine.


Where does the oceanic crust begin?

The oceanic crust begins at the Mid-Ocean Ridge, where tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify, forming new crust. This process of seafloor spreading creates the youngest oceanic crust at the ridge and older crust farther away from it.


How does the age of oceanic crust compare to the age of continental crust?

Oceanic crust is generally younger than continental crust. Oceanic crust is continuously formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity and then gradually moves away from the ridge, undergoing processes that make it relatively young compared to the older continental crust.


What crust is older in years the continental or the oceanic?

Continental crust is far older than oceanic crust.