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.
When heavier oceanic crust converges with lighter crust at a deep ocean trench, the heavier oceanic crust is usually forced under the lighter crust in a process known as subduction. This can create deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs on the overriding plate. The subducting plate can also melt and cause volcanic activity.
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.
Earth accreted from solid, heavier matter.
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.
The Earth's surface is covered by two types of crust: continental crust and oceanic crust. Continental crust is thicker and less dense, primarily composed of lighter rocks like granite, while oceanic crust is thinner and more dense, mainly composed of heavier basaltic rocks. As a result, oceanic crust is denser than continental crust.
Trench
The term "continental" typically refers to continental crust, which is generally thicker and less dense than oceanic crust. While continental crust can be considered "heavier" in terms of mass due to its greater thickness, it is less dense than the denser oceanic crust. Therefore, in terms of density, oceanic crust is heavier, but in terms of overall mass, continents can be heavier due to their larger volume.
When heavier oceanic crust converges with lighter crust at a deep ocean trench, the heavier oceanic crust is usually forced under the lighter crust in a process known as subduction. This can create deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs on the overriding plate. The subducting plate can also melt and cause volcanic activity.
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.
Continental crust is thicker but less dense, and oceanic crust is thinner but more dense, making it heavier.
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.
Earth accreted from solid, heavier matter.
Ozone is away from crust. It founds suitable conditions for formation there.
Volcanoes bring liquid rock (magma) to the surface, which may have heavier elements from the lower crust and mantle.
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.
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.
No, the oceanic crust is denser. That's why the land areas "float" so much higher than the ocean bedrock.