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The specific gravity, on average, of continental crust is 2.7. For oceanic crust, it's 2.9.

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When a continental plate and an oceanic plate collide why does the oceanic plate sink below the continental plate?

The oceanic plate is denser than the continental plate due to its composition of heavier mafic rock. This density difference causes the oceanic plate to sink below the continental plate in a process known as subduction.


Why is the oceanic plate subducted when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?

The Oceanic plate is subducted under the Continental plate because oceanic crust is much more dense than continental crust. The average density of the oceanic crust is 3g/cm^3 while the average density of continental crust is 2.7g/cm^3.


When an oceanic plates collides with continental plate the oceanic plate is usually subfucted because?

When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the oceanic plate is usually subducted because it is denser and thinner than the continental plate. This density difference causes the oceanic plate to sink beneath the continental plate into the mantle, forming a subduction zone. This process can lead to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs on the continental side. Additionally, the subduction of the oceanic plate contributes to geological activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.


What happends when an oceanic plate goes under a continental plate?

When an oceanic plate goes under a continental plate in a process called subduction, the oceanic plate is forced down into the mantle due to its higher density. This creates a subduction zone where the oceanic plate melts and forms magma, leading to volcanic activity. The continental plate is usually uplifted, creating mountain ranges.


What plate is denser than the underlying asthenosphere?

The oceanic lithosphere is denser than the underlying asthenosphere. This density is primarily due to the composition of the oceanic crust, which is mainly basaltic, and the oceanic lithosphere as a whole is denser than the more buoyant continental lithosphere. The greater density of the oceanic plate contributes to its ability to subduct beneath continental plates at convergent boundaries.

Related Questions

When a continental plate and an oceanic plate collide why does the oceanic plate sink below the continental plate?

The oceanic plate is denser than the continental plate due to its composition of heavier mafic rock. This density difference causes the oceanic plate to sink below the continental plate in a process known as subduction.


What happens when a plate gets subducted?

The colder, more dense plate is the one that subducts in a collision between two plates. In an oceanic to oceanic plate collision it is the older of the two plates that will subduct due to its higher density. In an oceanic to continental plate collision, it's the oceanic plate that will subduct because of its higher density.


At a convergent plate boundary between a continental and an oceanic plate which plate will be subdued down into the mantle?

The oceanic plate will be subdued down into the mantle because it is denser. Or has more density*smiles* Hope I helped.


Plate with oceanic crust sinking under another plate with oceanic crust?

When two oceanic plates or two plates both containing oceanic crust collide or converge, the convergent boundary will form a trench. The plate which has the higher density will plunge beneath the other plate forming a trench.


Why is the oceanic plate subducted when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate?

The Oceanic plate is subducted under the Continental plate because oceanic crust is much more dense than continental crust. The average density of the oceanic crust is 3g/cm^3 while the average density of continental crust is 2.7g/cm^3.


What happens to an oceanic plate as it pushes against a continental plate and sinks?

As the oceanic plate pushes against the continental plate, it forms a subduction zone where it sinks beneath the continental plate due to its greater density. This process can create deep ocean trenches, earthquakes, and volcanic activity as the sinking plate melts and interacts with the mantle.


Is An oceanic plate and continental plate colliding?

When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate typically subducts beneath the lighter continental plate due to the difference in density. This subduction can lead to the formation of volcanic mountain ranges along the continental margin. The oceanic plate may also undergo partial melting, leading to the formation of magma that can erupt to the surface.


When an oceanic plates collides with continental plate the oceanic plate is usually subfucted because?

When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the oceanic plate is usually subducted because it is denser and thinner than the continental plate. This density difference causes the oceanic plate to sink beneath the continental plate into the mantle, forming a subduction zone. This process can lead to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs on the continental side. Additionally, the subduction of the oceanic plate contributes to geological activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.


What happends when an oceanic plate goes under a continental plate?

When an oceanic plate goes under a continental plate in a process called subduction, the oceanic plate is forced down into the mantle due to its higher density. This creates a subduction zone where the oceanic plate melts and forms magma, leading to volcanic activity. The continental plate is usually uplifted, creating mountain ranges.


Oceanic-continental convergent plate boundary.?

In an oceanic-continental convergent plate boundary, an oceanic plate is subducted beneath a continental plate due to differences in density. This process can lead to the formation of deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs on the continental plate, and earthquakes. The subduction of the oceanic plate can also cause melting of rock, leading to the formation of magma that can erupt as volcanoes on the continental plate.


What plate is denser than the underlying asthenosphere?

The oceanic lithosphere is denser than the underlying asthenosphere. This density is primarily due to the composition of the oceanic crust, which is mainly basaltic, and the oceanic lithosphere as a whole is denser than the more buoyant continental lithosphere. The greater density of the oceanic plate contributes to its ability to subduct beneath continental plates at convergent boundaries.


Why do oceanic plates dive underneath continental plates when they collide?

Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates due to their composition, so when they collide, the denser oceanic plate is forced to dive (subduct) beneath the less dense continental plate. This process occurs due to the difference in density between the two types of plates, leading to the oceanic plate sinking into the mantle.