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The older, basaltic rocks that formed on the Earth before granite first developed were to easily weathered by the ocean to form permanent continents. The ocean floor is made of basalt, but when basaltic formations extended to the surface of early oceans, they were quickly weathered away. Granite first formed when underwater volcanoes erupted, and the magma was cooled extremely quickly, forming a less dense, but much more durable, rock than basalt. These early granite formations served as the "anchors" for the early continents to form upon.

In short, granite was the most durable form of rock to develop on early Earth, and, as such, it provided a durable place for the continents to develop on, safe from the erosive forces of the early oceans.

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What is the type of rock that comprises the bulk of the continents?

The type of rock that comprises the bulk of the continents is called granite. Granite is an igneous rock that is formed from the slow cooling of magma beneath the Earth's surface. It is a common rock found in continental crust.


What is the most common igneous rock of the continent?

Granite is the most common igneous rock found on continents. It is formed from the slow crystallization of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface. Granite is known for its durability and is commonly used in construction and monument-making.


What makes up the bedrock under the continents and is made of magma which slowly cooled inside the earth?

The bedrock under the continents is made up of igneous rock known as granite, which forms from magma that cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface. Granite is a coarse-grained rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica minerals, and is a common component of the continental crust.


This layer of the crust is made of granite?

The layer of the Earth's crust that is made of granite is called the continental crust. It is less dense and thicker than the oceanic crust, primarily composed of granite and sedimentary rocks. The continental crust is found beneath the continents and is responsible for forming the landmasses we see today.


What layer of earth's crust is made of granite?

The continental crust is primarily composed of granite. This layer is thicker and less dense than the oceanic crust and is primarily found beneath the continents. Granite is a coarse-grained igneous rock that is commonly seen in many mountain ranges.

Related Questions

What This layer of the crust is made of granite?

The layer of the crust that is made of granite is called the continental crust. It is thicker and less dense compared to the oceanic crust, which is made of basalt. The continental crust is primarily composed of granite and covers the Earth's continents.


The rock beneath the continents is made of?

The rock beneath the continents is primarily composed of granite and other metamorphic rocks such as gneiss and schist. These rocks are older and less dense than the oceanic crust, forming the thick, continental lithosphere that supports the continents.


Why are basalt and granite important igneous rock?

As it turns out, most of the ocean floor is basalt, and most of the continents are granite.


What rocks make up the continent floor?

The continental plate, which is made of granite rock, makes up the continents.


What is the type of rock that comprises the bulk of the continents?

The type of rock that comprises the bulk of the continents is called granite. Granite is an igneous rock that is formed from the slow cooling of magma beneath the Earth's surface. It is a common rock found in continental crust.


What rock is continental plates made up of?

Continental Crust is the layer of rocks that forms the continents and continental shelves. It is mostly made of granite or granitic rock.


What is the most common igneous rock of the continent?

Granite is the most common igneous rock found on continents. It is formed from the slow crystallization of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface. Granite is known for its durability and is commonly used in construction and monument-making.


What makes up the bedrock under the continents and is made of magma which slowly cooled inside the earth?

The bedrock under the continents is made up of igneous rock known as granite, which forms from magma that cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface. Granite is a coarse-grained rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica minerals, and is a common component of the continental crust.


This layer of the crust is made of granite?

The layer of the Earth's crust that is made of granite is called the continental crust. It is less dense and thicker than the oceanic crust, primarily composed of granite and sedimentary rocks. The continental crust is found beneath the continents and is responsible for forming the landmasses we see today.


What layer of earth's crust is made of granite?

The continental crust is primarily composed of granite. This layer is thicker and less dense than the oceanic crust and is primarily found beneath the continents. Granite is a coarse-grained igneous rock that is commonly seen in many mountain ranges.


What is granite out of?

the granite is made out of magma


What minierals are in granite?

Granite is a widely occurring group of intrusive, igneous rocks that form at great depth and pressure under continents. The minerals in granite are primarily quartz, feldspar, and mica.