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The answer depends on who you talk to.
A geographer - someone who studies Earth's surface, climate, countries, peoples, and so on - might say that continents are big and islands are small. For example, Greenland, the largest island, is only about a third as big as Australia.
On the other hand, a geologist - someone who studies the physics of Earth as a planet - might say that density accounts for the difference between continents and islands. Continents are made up of low-density rock, so they float high on Earth's molten mantle like big rafts. Ocean crust is denser, so it floats low on the mantle. Most islands are really extensions of the ocean floor - undersea volcanoes pump out dense lava that cools into ocean floor crust and sometimes piles up to poke above sea level. Greenland is ancient continental crust, but it isn't big enough to fit the geographer's definition of a continent. So geologists compromise by calling it a microcontinent.
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What else can I help you with?
What is the differnce between a continent and a island?
The difference between a continent and a island is that continents sit on their own continental lithosphere and islands do not. Greenland is the largest island and Australia is the smallest continent.
What continent is Dominica Island on?
Dominica Island is located on the north American continent ...
What continent is a large island?
Australia is referred to as the "Island Continent".
Is Australila a continent or an island?
Australia is both a continent and an island. As a continent, it is the smallest of the seven continents. As an island, it is the largest island in the world.
Is austaillia a continent or island?
Australia is both a continent and an island. It is the smallest continent in the world and is also considered the largest island.
What are difference between Vietnam and Australia?
Vietnam is part of the Eurasian Continent; Australia is a separate continent (or a very large island).
What is the differnce between a continent and a island?
The difference between a continent and a island is that continents sit on their own continental lithosphere and islands do not. Greenland is the largest island and Australia is the smallest continent.
How much is the time difference between Spain and Island?
The European nations of Spain and Ireland are both located along the Atlantic coast of the continent. The time difference between the two countries is 1 hour.
What is a difference between a continent and a country?
a continent is made up of countries
What continent is Dominica Island on?
Dominica Island is located on the north American continent ...
Why is it absurd for an island to rule a continent?
It is absurd for an island to rule a continent because of the vast difference in size, population, resources, and power between the two. A small island would likely not have the capacity to govern a large continent effectively, nor would it be accepted or feasible for such a mismatched governance structure to exist.
What is the difference between a continent a region and a hemisphere?
a region is a area a continent is a land mass
Is Australia a continent or is it an island?
continent not an island
What is the difference between subduction zone and a continent continent collision zone?
it is the study of making sanwhichs
What is the difference between a 'continent' and 'island'?
A continent is a large continuous landmass surrounded by water, whereas an island is a smaller landmass surrounded by water. Continents are usually part of tectonic plates, while islands can be formed by volcanic activity or be the result of erosion. Continents typically have diverse environments and are home to many countries, while islands can vary in size and may be independent nations or part of a larger landmass.
What continent is a large island?
Australia is referred to as the "Island Continent".
Is Australila a continent or an island?
Australia is both a continent and an island. As a continent, it is the smallest of the seven continents. As an island, it is the largest island in the world.
