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Oceanic plates are young and made of basalt and recent sediments.

Continental plates are old and contain continental crust made of old rocks and they are usually considerably thicker than the oceanic plates

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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 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.


Differences between oceanic-oceanic and oceanic-continental subduction boundary?

In an oceanic-oceanic subduction boundary, one oceanic plate subducts beneath another oceanic plate. This process can result in volcanic island arcs being formed. In an oceanic-continental subduction boundary, an oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental plate. This can lead to the formation of volcanic mountain ranges on the continental plate.


What plates are involved in a subduction plate?

A subduction plate involves an oceanic plate being pushed beneath a continental plate or another oceanic plate. The oceanic plate is denser and sinks into the mantle at a convergent boundary, creating a subduction zone. Common examples include the Pacific Plate subducting beneath the North American Plate along the west coast of North America.


What types of plate boundaries have subduction zone?

Convergent boundaries can form between two oceanic plates, between one oceanic plate and one continental plate, or between two continental plates.

Related Questions

Is the Pacific plate oceanic or continential?

Oceanic.


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 would happen when two plates meets?

When two plates meet each other thats called a Convergent boundary. They include areas where an oceanic plate slides below a continential plate.


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.


What happens at a convergent plate boundary between an oceanic and continental plate?

At a convergent plate boundary between an oceanic and continental plate, the oceanic plate is usually denser and subducts beneath the continental plate. This can lead to the formation of deep oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs on the continental plate, and earthquakes due to the intense pressure and friction. Over time, the oceanic plate can melt and create magma that rises to form volcanic mountain ranges on the continental plate.


Differences between oceanic-oceanic and oceanic-continental subduction boundary?

In an oceanic-oceanic subduction boundary, one oceanic plate subducts beneath another oceanic plate. This process can result in volcanic island arcs being formed. In an oceanic-continental subduction boundary, an oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental plate. This can lead to the formation of volcanic mountain ranges on the continental plate.


What plates are involved in a subduction plate?

A subduction plate involves an oceanic plate being pushed beneath a continental plate or another oceanic plate. The oceanic plate is denser and sinks into the mantle at a convergent boundary, creating a subduction zone. Common examples include the Pacific Plate subducting beneath the North American Plate along the west coast of North America.


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.


What is the difference between a mid oceanic ridge and a subduction zone?

A subduction zone occurs at convergent plate margins where an oceanic plate is going underneath a continental plate or a less dense oceanic plate. A mid-ocean ridge is a divergent plate boundary on the ocean floor with a mountain range and a rift running through the center of it. Sea floor spreading also occurs at mid ocean ridges.


What are the two differences between the continental crust and the oceanic crust?

The oceanic crust consists of heavier rock, mostly Basalt, so that if a oceanic plate collides with a continental plate the oceanic plate will be forced down below the continental plate, forming island arcs.continental plates are thicker than oceanic plates.


What types of plate boundaries have subduction zone?

Convergent boundaries can form between two oceanic plates, between one oceanic plate and one continental plate, or between two continental plates.


What types of boundaries have subduction zones?

Convergent boundaries can form between two oceanic plates, between one oceanic plate and one continental plate, or between two continental plates.