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The oceanic crust is denser

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What happens when a plate of oceanic crust collides with a plate of the continental crust and why does this happen?

When oceanic crust collides with continental crust, the denser oceanic crust is forced beneath the continental crust in a process called subduction. This happens because oceanic crust is heavier, colder, and more dense than continental crust, making it susceptible to being subducted under the lighter continental crust. This collision can result in the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic arcs, and deep ocean trenches.


How does the age of the oldest continental crust compare to the age of the oldest ocean crust-?

The oldest continental crust would be between three and one half to four billion years older than the oldest oceanic crust. This is due to the fact that ocean plates are subducted under the continental plates, subjected to partial melt and essentially recycled in the mantle before reforming.


How does the age of the oldest continental crust compare to the age of the oldest ocean crust?

The oldest continental crust would be between three and one half to four billion years older than the oldest oceanic crust. This is due to the fact that ocean plates are subducted under the continental plates, subjected to partial melt and essentially recycled in the mantle before reforming.


Why is oceanic crust always subducted underneath the continental crust?

Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than continental crust, making it more likely to be subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This process occurs because the denser oceanic crust is pulled downward into the mantle at convergent plate boundaries due to gravitational forces. The subduction of oceanic crust beneath continental crust helps to recycle Earth's materials and plays a key role in plate tectonics and the geologic cycle.


Crust under the ocean is called?

Crust under the oceans is called oceanic crust.

Related Questions

What type plate margin are ocean trenches associated with?

Convergent plate margins where oceanic crust is being subducted under continental crust.


When does a plate carrying continental crust converges with a plate carrying oceanic crust?

When a plate carrying continental crust converges with a plate carrying oceanic crust, the denser oceanic plate is typically subducted beneath the less dense continental plate. This can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs and deep ocean trenches.


What do one oceanic and one continental crust produce when the oceanic crust is subducted under the continental one?

A trench and a strata volcano.


How does the age of the oldest continental crust compare to the of the oldest ocean crust?

The oldest continental crust would be between three and one half to four billion years older than the oldest oceanic crust. This is due to the fact that ocean plates are subducted under the continental plates, subjected to partial melt and essentially recycled in the mantle before reforming.


How does the age of the oldest continental crust compare to the age of oldest ocean crust?

The oldest continental crust would be between three and one half to four billion years older than the oldest oceanic crust. This is due to the fact that ocean plates are subducted under the continental plates, subjected to partial melt and essentially recycled in the mantle before reforming.


What is likely to form where oceanic crust is subducted under continental crust?

Where oceanic crust is subducted under continental crust, a trench, volcanic arc, and earthquakes are likely to form. The subduction of the dense oceanic plate causes it to sink beneath the less dense continental plate, leading to the creation of these geological features due to the intense heat and pressure generated in the process.


Why is the oldest ocean crust only 150 million years old?

Because the oldest parts reach the continental crust and then the ocean floor sinks beneath the continental crust, into the mantle.


What happens when a plate of oceanic crust collides with a plate of the continental crust and why does this happen?

When oceanic crust collides with continental crust, the denser oceanic crust is forced beneath the continental crust in a process called subduction. This happens because oceanic crust is heavier, colder, and more dense than continental crust, making it susceptible to being subducted under the lighter continental crust. This collision can result in the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic arcs, and deep ocean trenches.


What is the name of the crust not under the ocean?

The crust not under the ocean is called continental crust. It is thicker and less dense compared to oceanic crust and forms the landmasses on Earth's surface.


How does the age of the oldest crust compare to the age of the oldest ocean crust?

The oldest continental crust would be between three and one half to four billion years older than the oldest oceanic crust. This is due to the fact that ocean plates are subducted under the continental plates, subjected to partial melt and essentially recycled in the mantle before reforming.


How does the age of the continental crust compare to The age of the oldest oceanic crust?

The oldest continental crust would be between three and one half to four billion years older than the oldest oceanic crust. This is due to the fact that ocean plates are subducted under the continental plates, subjected to partial melt and essentially recycled in the mantle before reforming.


How do the oceanic and continental crust differ?

Because the oceanic crust is under water in the ocean and a continental crust is land such as the continents