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Subduction occurs on continental boundaries because oceanic sub floor is denser and heavier than the lighter more buoyant crust. The oceanic crust slides under the continental crust areas usually on a plate boundary. This is in a recycle style mode that constantly is remaking the ocean floor. The oldest rocks on the ocean bottom are a drop in the geologic time bucket, compared to the rock ages on land.

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When continental plates collide what happens to the oceanic crust between them?

When continental plates collide, the denser oceanic crust is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This process can create subduction zones, where the oceanic crust is forced downward into the mantle. The oceanic crust may melt or be recycled back into the mantle in these subduction zones.


Why does the oceanic crust go under the continental crust when they collide?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it is composed of mafic rocks like basalt, whereas continental crust is made of felsic rocks like granite. This density difference causes the oceanic crust to subduct under the less dense continental crust when they collide at convergent plate boundaries.


When continental crust and oceanic crust collide what occurs?

When continental crust and oceanic crust collide, the denser oceanic crust is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This can lead to the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic arcs, and deep-sea trenches. The subduction process can also trigger earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of magma chambers.


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.


What is continental and oceanic crust?

Continental crust is the thicker, less dense, and older type of crust found beneath continents, primarily composed of granite and sedimentary rock. Oceanic crust is the thinner, more dense, and younger type of crust located beneath oceans, primarily composed of basalt. The boundary between continental and oceanic crust is known as the continental-oceanic crust boundary.

Related Questions

When continental plates collide what happens to the oceanic crust between them?

When continental plates collide, the denser oceanic crust is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This process can create subduction zones, where the oceanic crust is forced downward into the mantle. The oceanic crust may melt or be recycled back into the mantle in these subduction zones.


What happens when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?

when oceanic crust and continental crust collide, the oceanic crust sinks down beneath the continental crust. this is called subduction.


What happens when an oceanic and an oceanic plate collide?

since the oceanic crus is thinner than the Continental crust the oceanic crust get submerged and gets destroyed while the continental crust covers the submerged part as being taken over by continental crust....//\@Rtz Z@r...


When continental crust and oceanic crust collide which one will subduct?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, so when they collide, the oceanic crust will subduct beneath the continental crust. This subduction process can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs and mountain ranges.


What does continental oceanic collison mean?

is means under the oceanic crust the tectonicplate collide


When continental crust and oceanic crust collide what happens?

When continental crust and oceanic crust collide, the denser oceanic crust is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This can create deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and mountain ranges. The subduction of oceanic crust can also lead to the formation of earthquakes and volcanic activity.


Why does the oceanic crust go under the continental crust when they collide?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it is composed of mafic rocks like basalt, whereas continental crust is made of felsic rocks like granite. This density difference causes the oceanic crust to subduct under the less dense continental crust when they collide at convergent plate boundaries.


When continental crust and oceanic crust collide what occurs?

When continental crust and oceanic crust collide, the denser oceanic crust is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This can lead to the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic arcs, and deep-sea trenches. The subduction process can also trigger earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of magma chambers.


What is the difference between continentalcrust and the oceanic?

Continental crust is thicker and less dense while oceanic crust is thinner and more dense, so essentially continental crust takes a higher position than oceanic crust. When oceanic and continental plates collide, oceanic plates slide underneath continental plates(if this makes what I said any clearer).


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.


What happens when a heavier oceanic crust collides with a continental crust?

Trench


What is continental and oceanic crust?

Continental crust is the thicker, less dense, and older type of crust found beneath continents, primarily composed of granite and sedimentary rock. Oceanic crust is the thinner, more dense, and younger type of crust located beneath oceans, primarily composed of basalt. The boundary between continental and oceanic crust is known as the continental-oceanic crust boundary.