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The age of the ocean floor is younger near mid-ocean ridges because this is where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity as tectonic plates pull apart. As magma rises and solidifies at these ridges, it creates new seafloor. In contrast, the ocean floor becomes older as it moves away from the ridges towards continental boundaries, where it can eventually be subducted into the mantle or collide with continental plates, recycling older crust. This process of seafloor spreading and subduction explains the age gradient observed in oceanic crust.

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Where do midocean ridges intersect the landmasses?

Midocean ridges are areas where continents broke apart. Midocean ridges are closest to the landmasses in younger oceans. One example where a midocean ridge intersected a landmass is the Arabian sea, which was formed by the pulling apart of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa.


Why do rocks that compose the ocean floor younger than most continental rockshttpwwwanswerscomQWhy do rocks that compose the ocean floor younger than most continental rocks?

Rocks that compose the ocean floor are younger than most continental rocks primarily due to the process of plate tectonics and sea-floor spreading. New oceanic crust is continuously formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity as tectonic plates pull apart, while older oceanic crust is eventually subducted back into the mantle at convergent boundaries. In contrast, continental rocks are generally older because they have been subjected to less recycling and can accumulate over billions of years. This ongoing cycle results in younger oceanic rocks compared to the ancient continental crust.


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.


Why does oceanic lithosphere sink beneath continental lithosphere at convergent boundary and?

Oceanic lithosphere sinks beneath continental lithosphere at convergent boundaries primarily due to its higher density compared to continental lithosphere. As oceanic plates are denser and thinner, they are more susceptible to subduction when they collide with less dense, thicker continental plates. This process leads to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs, as the subducting oceanic plate melts and interacts with the overlying continental crust. Additionally, the cooler and older oceanic lithosphere is more likely to subduct than the younger, hotter continental lithosphere.


When Compared to landform crust the ocean crust is?

Compared to continental crust, oceanic crust is generally thinner, denser, and younger. It typically has an average thickness of about 5-10 kilometers, while continental crust can range from 30 to 50 kilometers. Oceanic crust is primarily composed of basalt, whereas continental crust is mostly granite. Additionally, oceanic crust is continuously being formed at mid-ocean ridges, making it geologically younger than most continental crust.

Related Questions

Where do midocean ridges intersect the landmasses?

Midocean ridges are areas where continents broke apart. Midocean ridges are closest to the landmasses in younger oceans. One example where a midocean ridge intersected a landmass is the Arabian sea, which was formed by the pulling apart of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa.


Do Ocean sediments become younger or older away from midocean ridges?

Older, as it moves away from the mid-ocean ridge the sediment gets thicker and older


Which is younger a continental shelf or a ridge?

A ridge!


Why do rocks that compose the ocean floor younger than most continental rockshttpwwwanswerscomQWhy do rocks that compose the ocean floor younger than most continental rocks?

Rocks that compose the ocean floor are younger than most continental rocks primarily due to the process of plate tectonics and sea-floor spreading. New oceanic crust is continuously formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity as tectonic plates pull apart, while older oceanic crust is eventually subducted back into the mantle at convergent boundaries. In contrast, continental rocks are generally older because they have been subjected to less recycling and can accumulate over billions of years. This ongoing cycle results in younger oceanic rocks compared to the ancient continental crust.


Oceanic crust is than continental crust.?

younger


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.


Differences of the continental crust and oceanic crust?

The continental crust is thicker, less dense, and older than the oceanic crust. It is composed mainly of granite rocks and is found beneath continental landmasses. In contrast, the oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and younger, with basalt rocks being the dominant rock type. It forms the ocean floor and is continually created and destroyed through the process of seafloor spreading and subduction.


Why does oceanic lithosphere sink beneath continental lithosphere at convergent boundary and?

Oceanic lithosphere sinks beneath continental lithosphere at convergent boundaries primarily due to its higher density compared to continental lithosphere. As oceanic plates are denser and thinner, they are more susceptible to subduction when they collide with less dense, thicker continental plates. This process leads to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs, as the subducting oceanic plate melts and interacts with the overlying continental crust. Additionally, the cooler and older oceanic lithosphere is more likely to subduct than the younger, hotter continental lithosphere.


Describe the three types of plate collisions that occur along convergent boundaries?

There are three types of plate collisions. They are classified by the type of crust involved in the collision. Plate collisions fall into these three types: 1. Both plates have an oceanic leading edge, 2. One plate has a continental leading edge and the other has an oceanic leading edge, and 3. both plates have a continental leading edge


What parts of speech is younger?

The word "younger" is an adjective, used to describe someone or something as having a lower age in comparison to others.


How did the younger man huck met in the woods describe himself-?

Younger man Huck met in the woods describe himself as ignorant.


Why is oceanic crust usually much younger than continental crust?

Crust is produced at constructive plate boundaries, usually at mid ocean ridges. Here the plates are moving apart and magma wells up to form new basaltic rock. This means the youngest crust is usually part of an oceanic plate. When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate sinks down in a subduction zone and ends up as magma again. The less dense continental crust is forced upwards and is preserved. Continental rocks are thus often very old.