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Oceanic crust is mostly basaltic, which is denser, while continental crust is made from mostly basaltic and sedimentary rocks, which are less dense. This difference in density is why the oceanic crust sinks lower (thus the oceans) and the continental crust rides higher (thus the continents) on the mantle.

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Ethel Nitzsche

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What is one major difference between oceanic crust and continental crust?

One major difference between oceanic crust and continental crust is their composition and density. Oceanic crust is primarily composed of basalt and is denser and thinner, averaging about 7 kilometers in thickness. In contrast, continental crust is mainly composed of lighter granitic rocks and is thicker, averaging around 30-50 kilometers. This difference in density contributes to the distinct characteristics of oceanic and continental tectonic plates.


What is the difference between the thickness of the continetal crust and oceanic crust?

In technical terms, the oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust so when the continental crust and the oceanic crust meet the continental crust will sink under and the oceanic crust will slide over and a volcano will be formed as well as producing earthquakes in the process.


What are three differences between oceanic and continental crust?

Continental crust is mostly composed out of granite, oceanic crust out of basalt.Continental crust is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust.


What are the three differences between oceanic and Continental crust?

CONTINENTAL CRUST is 35km of thickness and oceanic is 7 km. i hope that helped


What is the difference between contiental crust and oceanic crust?

Continental crust is on top of the oceanic crust Continental crust is made of granite whereas oceanic crust is made of basalt Continental crust is partly above sea level and partly below whereas oceanic crust is always below sea level.

Related Questions

What accounts for the difference between the oceanic crust and continental crust?

The oceanic crust is made up of basalt while continental crust is made up of mostly granite.


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

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


What is one major difference between oceanic crust and continental crust?

One major difference between oceanic crust and continental crust is their composition and density. Oceanic crust is primarily composed of basalt and is denser and thinner, averaging about 7 kilometers in thickness. In contrast, continental crust is mainly composed of lighter granitic rocks and is thicker, averaging around 30-50 kilometers. This difference in density contributes to the distinct characteristics of oceanic and continental tectonic plates.


What and the difference between oceanic and continental?

Oceanic crust is mostly basaltic, which is denser, while continental crust is made from mostly basaltic and sedimentary rocks, which are less dense. This difference in density is why the oceanic crust sinks lower (thus the oceans) and the continental crust rides higher (thus the continents) on the mantle.


What is the difference between the thickness of the continetal crust and oceanic crust?

In technical terms, the oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust so when the continental crust and the oceanic crust meet the continental crust will sink under and the oceanic crust will slide over and a volcano will be formed as well as producing earthquakes in the process.


What is the difference between continentalcrust and the oceanic?

Continental crust is thicker and less dense while oceanic crust is thinner and more dense, so essentially continental crust takes a higher position than oceanic crust. When oceanic and continental plates collide, oceanic plates slide underneath continental plates(if this makes what I said any clearer).


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 is the difference between the continental crust and the oceanic crusts?

Most significantly, there is a material difference in the weight and density of the two types of crust. This manifests itself when tectonic movement brings oceanic in continental plates into collision. Oceanic crust is relatively denser but typically about 100km this. Continental crust is lighter but almost twice as thick--about 200km.


What is the boundary between the oceanic crust and the continental crust known as?

The boundary between the oceanic crust and continental crust is known as the continental shelf. This is the shallowest part of the ocean that extends from the shore to the continental slope.


What is the difference between continential and oceanic crust?

Continental crust is thicker, less dense, and typically older than oceanic crust. Oceanic crust is thinner, more dense, and younger as it is constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges and being recycled at subduction zones.


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

CONTINENTAL CRUST is 35km of thickness and oceanic is 7 km. i hope that helped


What are three differences between oceanic and continental crust?

Continental crust is mostly composed out of granite, oceanic crust out of basalt.Continental crust is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust.