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Why would a certain thickness of continental crust displace less of the mantle than the same thickness of oceanic crust?
Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust, so it floats higher on the mantle. This means that the same thickness of continental crust will displace less mantle compared to oceanic crust. Additionally, continental crust is composed of lighter rocks like granites, while oceanic crust is made of denser rocks like basalt.
Why does the oceanic crust sit lower in the mantle than the continental crust?
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust due to its composition and age, causing it to sink lower into the mantle. The oceanic crust is also thinner and has been subjected to more intense heat and pressure, which contributes to its lower position in the mantle compared to the thicker, lighter continental crust.
How do continental crust differ from oceanic?
Continental crust is predominantly composed mostly of rock of a granitic composition, higher in silica and aluminum, with layers of sedimentary rock above. Oceanic crust is predominantly basaltic (higher in iron and magnesium), darker, thinner, more dense, and formed from rapid cooling of lava.
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.
How do the densities of oceanic crust and continental crust influence what happens when an oceanic plate coverages with a continental plate?
Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust. All that water weight compresses the heck out of the material in the plate and also the oceanic crust contains larger percentages of denser elements such as magnesium and iron than the continental crust which also contributes to it's higher density. This sets the conditions for what happens. The more dense oceanic crust will "dive under" continental crust because it is more dense, and all because of the difference in densities.
What characteristics of continental crust allow it to float higher on the mantle than oceanic cruast?
Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust because it is thicker and composed of lighter materials, such as granite. This lower density allows continental crust to "float" higher on the more dense mantle beneath it, creating continents.
Does the continental or the oceanic crust extend farther into the mantle?
The continental crust because it is thicker than the oceanic crust
Does seafloor displaces more of the mantle that the same thickness of the continental crust?
Yes, the denser oceanic crust of the seafloor will displace more mantle material compared to the same thickness of continental crust due to its higher density. This is because the thicker, less dense continental crust floats higher on the mantle compared to the thinner, denser oceanic crust.
Why would a certain thickness of continental crust displace less of the mantle than the same thickness of oceanic crust?
Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust, so it floats higher on the mantle. This means that the same thickness of continental crust will displace less mantle compared to oceanic crust. Additionally, continental crust is composed of lighter rocks like granites, while oceanic crust is made of denser rocks like basalt.
Why does continental crusts stand higher on the mantle then oceanic crust?
Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust because it is made up of mostly granitic rocks, while oceanic crust is composed of denser basaltic rocks. This difference in density causes continental crust to "float" higher on the underlying mantle, creating land above sea level.
Why does the oceanic crust sit lower in the mantle than the continental crust?
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust due to its composition and age, causing it to sink lower into the mantle. The oceanic crust is also thinner and has been subjected to more intense heat and pressure, which contributes to its lower position in the mantle compared to the thicker, lighter continental crust.
How do continental crust differ from oceanic?
Continental crust is predominantly composed mostly of rock of a granitic composition, higher in silica and aluminum, with layers of sedimentary rock above. Oceanic crust is predominantly basaltic (higher in iron and magnesium), darker, thinner, more dense, and formed from rapid cooling of lava.
Continental crust and the difference between oceanic crust?
Oceanic crust is mostly basaltic, which is denser, while continental crust is made from mostly basaltic and sedimentary rocks, which are less dense. This difference in density is why the oceanic crust sinks lower (thus the oceans) and the continental crust rides higher (thus the continents) on the mantle.
Oceanic crust is lighter than the continental crust?
No, the oceanic crust is denser. That's why the land areas "float" so much higher than the ocean bedrock.
What and the difference between oceanic and continental?
Oceanic crust is mostly basaltic, which is denser, while continental crust is made from mostly basaltic and sedimentary rocks, which are less dense. This difference in density is why the oceanic crust sinks lower (thus the oceans) and the continental crust rides higher (thus the continents) on the mantle.
What happens to mantle rock descending oceanic crust scrapes past continental crust?
As the oceanic crust descends beneath the continental crust, the mantle rock is subjected to high pressure and temperature. This causes the mantle rock to partially melt, producing magma that can rise to the surface and form volcanoes. The interaction of the descending oceanic crust with the continental crust can also lead to earthquake activity.
Why does the continental crust go father down into the mantle than the oceanic crust?
Continental crust, on average, is much thicker than oceanic crust. Because of the principles of isostacy and buoyancy, the continental crust will protrude more deeply into the asthenosphere than oceanic crust.
