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Bacause they are composed of material that is denser than that of the continental crust. As such ocernic crust is less bouyant than contiental crust and so where oceanic crust collides with continental crust, the oceanic srust tends to be forced beneath the continetal crust.

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Why do continents generally not subduct beneath oceanic plates?

Continents generally do not subduct beneath oceanic plates because continents are less dense and thicker than oceanic plates. This makes them more buoyant and resistant to being forced downward into the Earth's mantle. Additionally, the composition and structure of continents make them less likely to be pulled into subduction zones.


Are subducting plate and oceanic plate the same?

No, subducting plate and oceanic plate are not the same. An oceanic plate is a type of tectonic plate that lies beneath the ocean, while a subducting plate refers to an oceanic plate that is descending beneath another tectonic plate at a convergent boundary. Subducting plates are a specific category of oceanic plates.


What happens when a plate gets subducted?

The colder, more dense plate is the one that subducts in a collision between two plates. In an oceanic to oceanic plate collision it is the older of the two plates that will subduct due to its higher density. In an oceanic to continental plate collision, it's the oceanic plate that will subduct because of its higher density.


What is the result when continental plates meet oceanic plates?

If the plates are moving toward each other, the more dense oceanic plate will subduct underneath the less dense continental plate. Mountain ranges and volcanism may result as the water saturated subducting oceanic crust creates molten rock which attempts to rise to the surface.


In which area does an oceanic plate subduct into the mantle?

An oceanic plate subducts into the mantle at convergent plate boundaries.

Related Questions

Is oceanic oceanic convergence?

oceanic convergence is when two oceanic plates subduct beneath one another.


What oceanic convergence?

oceanic convergence is when two oceanic plates subduct beneath one another.


What is Oceanic convergence?

oceanic convergence is when two oceanic plates subduct beneath one another.


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.


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 do continents generally not subduct beneath oceanic plates?

Continents generally do not subduct beneath oceanic plates because continents are less dense and thicker than oceanic plates. This makes them more buoyant and resistant to being forced downward into the Earth's mantle. Additionally, the composition and structure of continents make them less likely to be pulled into subduction zones.


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.


What plates meet in subductive zones?

Oceanic plates typically subduct beneath continental plates or other oceanic plates at subduction zones. The denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the less dense continental plate, leading to the formation of features such as deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and earthquakes.


When two oceanic plates meet at a convergent boundary which plate pushes below the other plate?

At a convergent boundary where two oceanic plates meet, the denser plate will typically subduct below the less dense plate. The denser plate is usually the older, cooler, and more compacted of the two plates.


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.


Are subducting plate and oceanic plate the same?

No, subducting plate and oceanic plate are not the same. An oceanic plate is a type of tectonic plate that lies beneath the ocean, while a subducting plate refers to an oceanic plate that is descending beneath another tectonic plate at a convergent boundary. Subducting plates are a specific category of oceanic plates.


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)