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Oceanic crust is mafic in composition and continental crust is felsic in composition. Mafic minerals generally have a higher density than felsic minerals and therefore, the oceanic crust is heavier.

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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.


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.


Oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust because it contains more of which three elements?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it contains more magnesium, iron, and calcium. These heavier elements contribute to the higher density of the oceanic crust compared to the continental crust.


What are two differences between the oceanic crust and the continental crust?

The oceanic crust consists of heavier rock, mostly Basalt, so that if a oceanic plate collides with a continental plate the oceanic plate will be forced down below the continental plate, forming island arcs.continental plates are thicker than oceanic plates.


What is the difference of continental crust and oceanic crust?

Two differences are that the oceanic crust is more dense than continental, and continental crust is composed mostly of granite, while oceanic is mostly basalt

Related Questions

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

Continental crust is thicker but less dense, and oceanic crust is thinner but more dense, making it heavier.


What happens when a heavier oceanic crust collides with a continental crust?

Trench


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 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 crust is heavier?

Continental crust is generally lighter than oceanic crust because it is thicker and less dense. Oceanic crust, being thinner and denser, tends to be heavier.


Why are continental plates less dense than oceanic plates kids answer?

Continental crust and continental crust are made of different types of rock. The rocks in the continental crust do not contain as many of the heavier elements as the ones in the oceanic crust do.


Which type of crust is heavier and younger?

Oceanic crust is heavier and younger compared to continental crust. It is denser because it is composed of basaltic rocks, while continental crust is made up of less dense granitic rocks. Additionally, oceanic crust is continually being formed at mid-ocean ridges through seafloor spreading, making it much younger on average than continental crust.


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 are the two differences between the continental crust and the oceanic crust?

The oceanic crust consists of heavier rock, mostly Basalt, so that if a oceanic plate collides with a continental plate the oceanic plate will be forced down below the continental plate, forming island arcs.continental plates are thicker than oceanic plates.


Oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust because it contains more of which three elements?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust because it contains more magnesium, iron, and calcium. These heavier elements contribute to the higher density of the oceanic crust compared to the continental crust.


What are two differences between the oceanic crust and the continental crust?

The oceanic crust consists of heavier rock, mostly Basalt, so that if a oceanic plate collides with a continental plate the oceanic plate will be forced down below the continental plate, forming island arcs.continental plates are thicker than oceanic plates.


What is the difference of continental crust and oceanic crust?

Two differences are that the oceanic crust is more dense than continental, and continental crust is composed mostly of granite, while oceanic is mostly basalt