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Oceanic plates are primarily made up of basaltic rock while continental plates are primarily made of granitic rock. Basalt is denser than granite which allows oceanic plates to subduct beneath continental plates.

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Is the Nazca Plate oceanic or continental?

The Oceanic plate denser than the continental plat because it contain magnesium,which is denser than aluminum found in continental plates.


When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate which plate is subducted?

When an oceanic plate and a continental plate collide, the oceanic plate is always subducted. Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates, and they have a higher iron content. Since they are denser, oceanic plates always sink below the continental plate in the event of a collision.


When a continental plate and an oceanic plate collide why does the oceanic plate sink below the continental plate?

The oceanic plate is denser than the continental plate due to its composition of heavier mafic rock. This density difference causes the oceanic plate to sink below the continental plate in a process known as subduction.


Why do oceanic plates dive underneath continental plates when they collide?

Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates due to their composition, so when they collide, the denser oceanic plate is forced to dive (subduct) beneath the less dense continental plate. This process occurs due to the difference in density between the two types of plates, leading to the oceanic plate sinking into the mantle.


When oceanic plates collide with continental plates the oceanic plate goes under the continental plate because?

The oceanic plate subduct under the continental because oceanic is made from basalt(rock) which is denser than andesite and granite(continental)


Why do oceanic plates move under continental plates when the two collide?

Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates, so when they collide at a convergent boundary, the denser oceanic plate is forced to subduct beneath the less dense continental plate. This subduction is driven by the force of gravity pulling the denser plate downward. This process can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs and deep ocean trenches.


What explains the observation that when a continental and oceanic plate collide the oceanic plate dives down under the continental plate?

This phenomenon, known as subduction, occurs because oceanic plates are denser and thinner than continental plates. When the two plates collide, the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the less dense continental plate due to gravitational pull. This process results in the oceanic plate descending into the mantle, leading to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs.


Which would subduct if a continental and oceanic plate were to collide with each other?

The oceanic plate would subduct beneath the continental plate. This is because oceanic plates are denser than continental plates due to their composition, so they are more likely to be forced beneath the less dense continental plate.


Why is the oceanic plate subducted when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?

The Oceanic plate is subducted under the Continental plate because oceanic crust is much more dense than continental crust. The average density of the oceanic crust is 3g/cm^3 while the average density of continental crust is 2.7g/cm^3.


Why does the oceanic plate subduct and the continent doesn't?

Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates due to their composition and age. When two plates collide and one is denser, the denser plate will subduct beneath the less dense plate. This is why oceanic plates subduct beneath continental plates in a process known as subduction.


When a more dense oceanic plate sinks under continental plate?

This is called a destructive plate boundary. It occurs due to the fact that the oceanic crust is far denser than the continental crust. As a result it subducts into the mantle and is incenerated. Hope it helped:)


What happens with a plate of oceanic crust collides with a plate of continental crust?

The oceanic plate is made of denser (and thinner) rock than the continental crust, so the oceanic plate gets subducted (pushed underneath) where it descends and gets melted by geothermal heat.