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Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust.

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Q: Why does the oceanic crust sit lower in the mantle than the continental crust?
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Why does the continental crust float higher on the mantle than on the oceanic crust?

the oceanic crust is more dense therefore it sinks lower than continental crust


Why does water float on Earth's surface?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, it floats lower in earths mantle.


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.


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.


Why is oceanic crust lower than the continental crust?

Oceanic crust is thinner and of greater density than continental crust.


Why are the continents placed above the oceans?

Because continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, it "floats" higher on the underlying mantle rock. Notice how high the continental crust rises above the oceanic crust in this cross section of the North American Plate. Oceanic crust is made of dense basalt; continental crust consists of less dense granite


Is the oceanic crust a thick layer?

Continental plates are thicker and of lower density than oceanic plates. They float like giant rock icebergs deeply embedded in the upper part of the mantle, while oceanic plates form more of a surface skin on the top of the mantle.


What layer of earth makes up the plates?

the crust + lithosphere earth's crust: crust crust continental crust lithosphere crust continental and oceanic crust mantle asthenosphere mantle lower mantle mantle outer core outer core inner core inner core


What is a characteristic of subduction?

The correct answers are - B. Where oceanic crust meets continental crust, and C. Earthquakes.Subduction zones appear only on places where a crust of lower density (oceanic crust) meets a crust of higher density (continental crust).On the places where the oceanic crust meets the continental crust, the oceanic crust goes beneath the continental crust, this makes changes and readjustments in the inner part of the crust, and plus there's significant pressure from the mantle layer from beneath, so earthquakes are a very common occurrence.Check all that apply. A. Broad river deltas B. Where oceanic crust meets continental crust C. Earthquakes D. Two continents collide


What is the difference between the continental crust and the oceanic?

Continental crust is much older, granitic in nature, and less dense than oceanic crust which is composed of basaltic rock. Oceanic crust is in a constant state of creation and destruction through the processes of plate tectonics. Oceanic crust is also considerably less thick than continental crust.


Why is continental crust deeper than oceanic crust?

The oceans flow to the places where the crust is the lowest. Gravity causes them to flow downward. The mantle, below the crust, is at the same depth everywhere, so if the crust is lower, it is because it is thinner.


Why is ocean crust subducted under continental crust?

The oceanic crust is denser