answersLogoWhite

0

New oceanic lithosphere is constantly being produced at mid-ocean ridges and is recycled back to the mantle at subduction zones.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

Why do you think that the total amount of lithosphere formed on the earth is about equal to the amount destroyed?

The process of plate tectonics drives the creation and destruction of lithosphere. As new lithosphere is formed at mid-ocean ridges through seafloor spreading, older lithosphere is consumed at subduction zones, creating a balance between formation and destruction over time. This equilibrium maintains a relatively constant amount of lithosphere on Earth.


Does the oceanic lithosphere get older or younger?

Oceanic lithosphere gets older as it moves away from the mid-ocean ridges where new lithosphere is formed. This process, known as seafloor spreading, causes older lithosphere to be pushed further from the ridge, resulting in a gradient of lithosphere age with the oldest being farthest from the ridges.


Why is oceanic lithosphere subducted while continental lithosphere is not?

The density of the continental (granitic) lithosphere is lower than oceanic (basaltic) lithosphere. Consequently, due to buoyancy, the continental crust rides above the oceanic lithosphere and thus is not subducted. However, it is thought that pieces of the continental lithosphere break off and are subducted along with the oceanic lithosphere.


What are the differences between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere?

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth that includes the crust and the upper part of the mantle. The asthenosphere is a partially molten, ductile layer below the lithosphere that allows the lithospheric plates to move. The main difference is in their physical properties, with the lithosphere being solid and rigid, while the asthenosphere is more plastic and able to flow.


The crust and upper mantle are called the?

The crust and the upper mantle are a geological part of the earth called the lithosphere. There are 2 parts of the lithosphere: the oceanic lithosphere, which is made up of land underneath water, and the continental lithosphere, which is the the part made of just land. The lithosphere lies on top of the asthenosphere. The lithosphere is made up of tectonic plates, which are pieces of land floating on the lithosphere.

Related Questions

Why must the production and destruction of the lithosphere be going on at the same rate?

New lithosphere is constantly being produced at the oceanic ridges. Lithosphere is consumed at the subduction zones. A balance is maintained because older, denser proportions of oceanic lithosphere descend into the mantle at a rate equal to seafloor production.


Why do you think that the total amount of lithosphere formed on the earth is about equal to the amount destroyed?

The process of plate tectonics drives the creation and destruction of lithosphere. As new lithosphere is formed at mid-ocean ridges through seafloor spreading, older lithosphere is consumed at subduction zones, creating a balance between formation and destruction over time. This equilibrium maintains a relatively constant amount of lithosphere on Earth.


Does the oceanic lithosphere get older or younger?

Oceanic lithosphere gets older as it moves away from the mid-ocean ridges where new lithosphere is formed. This process, known as seafloor spreading, causes older lithosphere to be pushed further from the ridge, resulting in a gradient of lithosphere age with the oldest being farthest from the ridges.


Why is oceanic lithosphere subducted while continental lithosphere is not?

The density of the continental (granitic) lithosphere is lower than oceanic (basaltic) lithosphere. Consequently, due to buoyancy, the continental crust rides above the oceanic lithosphere and thus is not subducted. However, it is thought that pieces of the continental lithosphere break off and are subducted along with the oceanic lithosphere.


How much fossil fuel is consumed worldwide?

85 percent of fossil fuel is being consumed today


When a planet is being consumed by a black hole does dirt and debris actually suck off surface?

The planet is ripped to shreds and completely vaporizes before being sucked in, it has no surface when it is being consumed.


Is oil sustainable?

Petroleum oil from the lithosphere of the earth is being consumed at a significantly faster rate than it is being produced. From that standpoint, NO, it is NOT sustainable. On the other hand, a number of processes have been developed to produce the same mixture of molecules from sustainable sources (e.g. biodiesel) so oil in general CAN be sustainable if we do not rely strictly on drilling to produce it.


What are enzymes called because they affect the speed of chemical reaction without being consumed?

enzymes are never consumed in a chemical reaction, therefore the answer to your question is that enzymes that affect the speed of a chemical reaction without being consumed are indeed called enzymes.


How quickly does cat grass grow back after being consumed by a cat?

Cat grass typically grows back within 1-2 weeks after being consumed by a cat.


What c word defines substance that speeds a chemical reaction without being consumed?

Catalyst is the substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.


Islands and continents are all parts of the?

Islands and continents are all parts of the Earth's crust or lithosphere, which is the solid outer layer of the planet. They are both landmasses, with islands being surrounded by water and continents being larger and connected to other landmasses.


What are the differences between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere?

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth that includes the crust and the upper part of the mantle. The asthenosphere is a partially molten, ductile layer below the lithosphere that allows the lithospheric plates to move. The main difference is in their physical properties, with the lithosphere being solid and rigid, while the asthenosphere is more plastic and able to flow.