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Continental crust primarily consists of lighter, granitic rocks, which are rich in silica and aluminum, giving it a less dense structure. In contrast, oceanic crust is predominantly composed of denser basaltic rocks that are rich in iron and magnesium. This difference in composition contributes to the distinct characteristics of each type of crust, influencing geological processes such as plate tectonics.

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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


Continental crust and the difference between oceanic crust?

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.


Is the continental crust thinner and denser in most areas than the oceanic crust?

No, the continental crust is generally thicker and less dense than the oceanic crust. Continental crust can be up to 70 km thick in some areas, while oceanic crust averages about 7 km in thickness. Density-wise, oceanic crust is denser because it is made mostly of basalt, whereas continental crust is primarily composed of less dense granite and sedimentary rocks.


What three of the 4 layers of this crust are igneous material?

The layers of Earth's crust that consist mostly of igneous material are the uppermost layer, the oceanic crust, and the lowermost layer, the lower continental crust and lithospheric mantle. These layers are primarily composed of igneous rocks formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock.

Related Questions

Do tectonic plates consist of continental or oceanic crust?

Tectonic plates consist of both continental and oceanic crust. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that constantly move and interact with each other. Some plates are predominantly made up of continental crust, while others are mostly composed of oceanic crust.


Which type of crust is primarily made of basalt and is more dense?

Oceanic crust is primarily made of basalt and is more dense than continental crust. It is also younger and thinner compared to continental crust.


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


Both continental crust and oceanic crust consist mainly of what elements?

Both continental crust and oceanic crust consist mainly of silicon and oxygen, forming silica-based minerals. However, oceanic crust tends to have higher concentrations of iron and magnesium compared to continental crust.


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 of continental crust and oceanic crust?

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 are two differences between the continental crust and oceanic crust?

The continental crust is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust. Oceanic crust is younger and primarily composed of basalt, while continental crust is older and made up of a variety of rock types, including granite and sedimentary rocks.


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.


Continental crust and the difference between oceanic crust?

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.


How do continental crust differ from oceanic?

Continental crust is predominantly composed mostly of rock of a granitic composition, higher in silica and aluminum, with layers of sedimentary rock above. Oceanic crust is predominantly basaltic (higher in iron and magnesium), darker, thinner, more dense, and formed from rapid cooling of lava.


How do Oceanic crust and Continental crust vary?

Oceanic crust is thin and composed mostly of dense basaltic rock.Continental crust is thick and composed mostly of light granitic rock.