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The crust and upper mantle consist of hard rocks which form the moving plates of the outer layer of Earth.

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What characteristics of continental crust allow it to float higher on the mantle than oceanic cruast?

Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust because it is thicker and composed of lighter materials, such as granite. This lower density allows continental crust to "float" higher on the more dense mantle beneath it, creating continents.


What are the 2 divisions of the crust?

The two divisions of Earth's crust are the continental crust and the oceanic crust. The continental crust is thicker and less dense, mainly composed of granite rocks, while the oceanic crust is thinner and denser, primarily made up of basalt rocks.


Why does continental crusts stand higher on the mantle then oceanic crust?

Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust because it is made up of mostly granitic rocks, while oceanic crust is composed of denser basaltic rocks. This difference in density causes continental crust to "float" higher on the underlying mantle, creating land above sea level.


Explain why continental crust can displace more of the mantle than oceanic crust can?

Continental crust is generally thicker and less dense than oceanic crust, allowing it to displace more of the mantle beneath it. The buoyancy of continental crust enables it to float higher on the mantle compared to the denser oceanic crust, which sinks deeper into the mantle. Additionally, the composition of continental crust, which includes lighter materials like granite, contributes to its ability to displace a larger volume of mantle. This difference in density and thickness results in continental crust having a greater gravitational pull on the mantle compared to oceanic crust.


Is the continental crust a solid liquid or gas?

The oceanic crust itself is made of solid rock.

Related Questions

Explain the significance of the fact that the lithosphere is primarily composed of basalt while the crust is composed primarily of granite?

The lithosphere is composed of the oceanic and continental crust, along with the brittle uppermost mantle. The continental crust is mainly granitic, and the oceanic crust is primarily basalt.


What are the major components of the Earth?

The lithosphere is composed of the uppermost mantle which is attached to the continental and oceanic crust.


What is composed of oceanic continental crust and upper mantle?

That would be the lithosphere which is split into tectonic plates.


What characteristics of continental crust allow it to float higher on the mantle than oceanic cruast?

Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust because it is thicker and composed of lighter materials, such as granite. This lower density allows continental crust to "float" higher on the more dense mantle beneath it, creating continents.


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.


Why would a certain thickness of continental crust displace less of the mantle than the same thickness of oceanic crust?

Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust, so it floats higher on the mantle. This means that the same thickness of continental crust will displace less mantle compared to oceanic crust. Additionally, continental crust is composed of lighter rocks like granites, while oceanic crust is made of denser rocks like basalt.


Does the continental or the oceanic crust extend farther into the mantle?

The continental crust because it is thicker than the oceanic crust


Oceanic crust is than continental crust.?

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What are the 2 divisions of the crust?

The two divisions of Earth's crust are the continental crust and the oceanic crust. The continental crust is thicker and less dense, mainly composed of granite rocks, while the oceanic crust is thinner and denser, primarily made up of basalt rocks.


Why does the oceanic crust sit lower in the mantle than the continental crust?

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust due to its composition and age, causing it to sink lower into the mantle. The oceanic crust is also thinner and has been subjected to more intense heat and pressure, which contributes to its lower position in the mantle compared to the thicker, lighter continental crust.


Why does continental crusts stand higher on the mantle then oceanic crust?

Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust because it is made up of mostly granitic rocks, while oceanic crust is composed of denser basaltic rocks. This difference in density causes continental crust to "float" higher on the underlying mantle, creating land above sea level.


Is the continental crust a solid liquid or gas?

The oceanic crust itself is made of solid rock.