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Tectonic plates are the densest plates on Earth's surface.

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4mo ago

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What is the difference between oceanic and continental plates?

Continental plates are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are mainly granitic in composition. Oceanic plates are mainly basaltic in composition. The rock of continental plates is on average, much older than the rock of the oceanic plates. The oceanic plate underlies the oceans, and the continental plate makes up the land masses. Continental plates do not subduct at convergent plate boundaries.


What type of earth plate is more dense?

Oceanic plates are typically more dense than continental plates. This higher density is due to the composition of oceanic plates, which contain basaltic rocks that are denser than the granitic rocks found in continental plates.


Are continental plates more buoyant than oceanic plates?

Yes, continental plates are more buoyant than oceanic plates because they are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are made up of less dense material such as granite, while oceanic plates are primarily composed of denser basaltic rock. This difference in density causes continental plates to float higher on the underlying mantle.


What two types of plates make up the earth?

The two main types of plates that make up the Earth's lithosphere are oceanic plates, which are denser and thinner, and continental plates, which are less dense and thicker. These plates interact with each other at their boundaries, causing movements such as subduction, spreading, and collisions that shape the Earth's surface.


Do oceanic plates lie under the ocean?

yes

Related Questions

Do plates become more dense or less dense when they become cooler?

Cooler material is more dense and hotter material is less. This means that plates become more dense as they cool.


Do the plates float on the mantle?

Tectonic plates float on the mantle because they are less dense


Why do the plates float on the mantle?

Tectonic plates float on the mantle because they are less dense


What is the difference between oceanic and continental plates?

Continental plates are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are mainly granitic in composition. Oceanic plates are mainly basaltic in composition. The rock of continental plates is on average, much older than the rock of the oceanic plates. The oceanic plate underlies the oceans, and the continental plate makes up the land masses. Continental plates do not subduct at convergent plate boundaries.


How dense is potassium?

really dense


Why do tectonic plates float on the atmosphere?

They don't. Tectonic plates float on the asthenosphere, as they are a bit less dense.


What type of earth plate is more dense?

Oceanic plates are typically more dense than continental plates. This higher density is due to the composition of oceanic plates, which contain basaltic rocks that are denser than the granitic rocks found in continental plates.


Why do convergent oceanic plates subduct but continental plates do not usually respond in this way?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, dense enough to sink into the mantle. Continental crust is not dense enough to do this.


Are continental plates more buoyant than oceanic plates?

Yes, continental plates are more buoyant than oceanic plates because they are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are made up of less dense material such as granite, while oceanic plates are primarily composed of denser basaltic rock. This difference in density causes continental plates to float higher on the underlying mantle.


Why is an oceanic plate always subducted but not a continental plate?

Continental plates are lighter (less dense) than oceanic plates.


What process occurs when a more dense plates sink beneath a less dense plate?

SubductionThe Magma Forms And Makes A Volcano


What two types of plates make up the earth?

The two main types of plates that make up the Earth's lithosphere are oceanic plates, which are denser and thinner, and continental plates, which are less dense and thicker. These plates interact with each other at their boundaries, causing movements such as subduction, spreading, and collisions that shape the Earth's surface.