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The mechanism behind the principle of tectonic plate subduction, is governed by certain laws of science (mostly in physics, chemistry and geography). This laws includes law of floatation, gravity and bouyancy . Naturally the Oceanic lithosphere which makes up the oceanic plates is composed of materials relatively denser than those of the continental lithosphere which makes up the continental plates and this is as a result of the variation in their chemistry. According to the law of flotating in physics, materials would be immersed in a fluid, according to their density and they would displace equivalent amount of that fluid as their weight/density. This generaly implies that the denser a body or material the deeper it will be emmersed in a fluid (ie, any substance that can flow eg water and molten materials), so definitely in a situation where the oceanic plate and continental plate collide the continental plate is been displaced by the oceanic plate due to difference in density, and the continental plate stays afloat because of its bouyancy. Also gravity affects the subduction of tectonic plates, by pulling the denser oceanic plate downwards and deeper into the asthenosphere than the continental plate. In summary, "the combined reactions of, bouyancy, force of gravity, effect of density, relative motion and direction of two opposite plates with different compositions" (bumping into one another), causes the circumstances surrounding plates subduction.
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The process of an oceanic plate colliding with and descending underneath a continental plate?
This process is known as subduction. When an oceanic plate collides with and is forced underneath a continental plate, it creates a subduction zone. The descending oceanic plate melts due to the intense heat and pressure, causing volcanic activity and the formation of mountain ranges on the continental plate.
Oceanic crust slides under continental crust during subduction because oceanic crust is .?
denser (Apex)
Why does oceanic crust slide under continental crust during subduction?
The oceanic crust slides under the continental crust due to the differences in their densities. The continental crust is more felsic (contains more silica) which makes it lighter than the oceanic crust which is more mafic (containes more fe and mg). Because the process of subduction is very slow, gravitational forces have a stronger effect on the more dense oceanic crust, causing this crust to be pulled under the continental crust and down into the mantle.
What are two kinds of crust involved in a subduction zone?
Both continental and oceanic crusts are used in the process of subduction, unless you are talking about see floor spreading, then only oceanic crust is used
Why does oceanic crust subduct while continental never does?
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust due to its composition of basaltic rock, which causes it to sink into the mantle during subduction zones. Continental crust is less dense due to its composition of granitic rock, so it tends to "ride" over the oceanic crust during subduction rather than being subducted itself.
The process of an oceanic plate colliding with and descending underneath a continental plate?
This process is known as subduction. When an oceanic plate collides with and is forced underneath a continental plate, it creates a subduction zone. The descending oceanic plate melts due to the intense heat and pressure, causing volcanic activity and the formation of mountain ranges on the continental plate.
Oceanic crust slides under continental crust during subduction because oceanic crust is?
denser
Oceanic crust slides under continental crust during subduction because oceanic crust is .?
denser (Apex)
Why does oceanic crust slide under continental crust during subduction?
The oceanic crust slides under the continental crust due to the differences in their densities. The continental crust is more felsic (contains more silica) which makes it lighter than the oceanic crust which is more mafic (containes more fe and mg). Because the process of subduction is very slow, gravitational forces have a stronger effect on the more dense oceanic crust, causing this crust to be pulled under the continental crust and down into the mantle.
What are two kinds of crust involved in a subduction zone?
Both continental and oceanic crusts are used in the process of subduction, unless you are talking about see floor spreading, then only oceanic crust is used
Why does oceanic crust subduct while continental never does?
Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust due to its composition of basaltic rock, which causes it to sink into the mantle during subduction zones. Continental crust is less dense due to its composition of granitic rock, so it tends to "ride" over the oceanic crust during subduction rather than being subducted itself.
When a continental crustal plate collides with an oceanic crustal plate the continental crust is forced to move over the oceanic crust What is the primary reason that the continental crust stays on?
The continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, which allows it to stay on top during a collision. The low density and greater thickness of continental crust help it resist subduction beneath the oceanic crust.
What forms during oceanic-subduction?
Rift valleys
Is oceanic crust slide under oceanic crust during subduction?
Yes, oceanic crust can slide under oceanic crust during subduction at convergent plate boundaries. This process occurs when a more dense oceanic plate descends beneath another oceanic plate, leading to the formation of a subduction zone.
What is the difference between the oceanic crust and continental crust and how does this influence plate boundary interactions?
When two plates move towards one another, they form either a subduction zone or a continental collision. This depends on the nature of the plates involved. In a subduction zone, the subducting plate, which is normally a plate with oceanic crust, moves beneath the other plate, which can be made of either oceanic or continental crust. During collisions between two continental plates, large mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas are formed. Oceanic crust is a type of crust that is submerged in huge bodies of water, while continental crust is the type of crust beneath the continents. Oceanic crust is thinner but denser, while the continental crust is thicker but lighter. Whenever a continental crust and an oceanic crust meets and collides, they form a convergence zone. The oceanic crust sinks below the continental crust(subduction zone) because it is denser. As it sinks into the mantle, it becomes magma which soon rises up to the surface to stabilize the mantle, thus creating a volcano. The continental crust, being the lighter one, does not sink. It may fold and form mountains. The nature of a convergent boundary depends on the type of lithosphere in the plates that are colliding. Where a dense oceanic plate collides with a less-dense continental plate, the oceanic plate is typically thrust underneath because of the greater buoyancy of the continental lithosphere, forming a subduction zone. At the surface, the topographic expression is commonly an oceanic trench on the ocean side and a mountain range on the continental side. An example of a continental-oceanic subduction zone is the area along the western coast of South America where the oceanic Nazca Plate is being subducted beneath the continental South American Plate.
Why is oceanic lithosphere subducted during and oceanic continental collision where as the continental plate is not?
Oceanic lithosphere is denser than continental lithosphere, so it is more likely to be subducted during a collision. The downward force exerted by the dense oceanic plate causes it to sink beneath the less dense continental plate. Furthermore, oceanic lithosphere is typically thinner and more malleable, making it easier to be forced beneath the continental lithosphere.
What is the primary reason why the oceanic crust subducts below the continental crust and not vice versa when they collide together?
The oceanic crust subducts beneath the continental crust due to its higher density. Oceanic crust is basaltic and has a specific gravity of 3.3. Continental crust is granitic and has an average specific gravity of 2.9.
