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The primary reason continental crust remains above oceanic crust is its lower density. Continental crust is primarily composed of lighter, less dense rocks like granite, while oceanic crust is denser, made mostly of basalt. This difference in density causes the buoyant continental crust to "float" on the denser oceanic crust beneath it, resulting in the continental crust being elevated above sea level.

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Is Earth's oceanic crust thicker or the continential crust?

the Continental crust is thicker


What is the difference between continential and oceanic crust?

Continental crust is thicker, less dense, and typically older than oceanic crust. Oceanic crust is thinner, more dense, and younger as it is constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges and being recycled at subduction zones.


When a continental crustal plate collides with an oceanic crustal plate the continental crust is forced to move over the oceanic crust What is the primary reason that the continental crust stays on?

The continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, which allows it to stay on top during a collision. The low density and greater thickness of continental crust help it resist subduction beneath the oceanic crust.


How is a continential listhophere different from a oceanic lithoshere?

There is only a slight difference between crust and lithosphere. The difference is that the lithosphere is part of the Earth that encompasses.


What is the primary reason why the oceanic crust subducts below the continental crust and not vice versa when they collide together?

The oceanic crust subducts beneath the continental crust due to its higher density. Oceanic crust is basaltic and has a specific gravity of 3.3. Continental crust is granitic and has an average specific gravity of 2.9.


What are facts about Continental and Oceanic Crust and Lithospheric Plates Including what they are made of and their approximate temperature?

the continential crust is made of granitic rocks and the oceanic crust is made of basat and gabbro. the temp of the continential crust is -84.4 to 70.7c and the temp for oceanic crust is -18 to 380c and the lithopheric plates are made of felsic rocks. good luck with the rest.


What happens when a plate of oceanic crust collides with a plate of the continental crust and why does this happen?

When oceanic crust collides with continental crust, the denser oceanic crust is forced beneath the continental crust in a process called subduction. This happens because oceanic crust is heavier, colder, and more dense than continental crust, making it susceptible to being subducted under the lighter continental crust. This collision can result in the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic arcs, and deep ocean trenches.


What are the features of the Continential crust?

John Cena


Why does the oceanic sink beneath continental crust at convergent boundaries?

The continental crust is less dense than the oceanic crust. That's the reason we find that the oceanic crust sinks (subducts) beneath the continental crust.Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust and so cannot sink below it.


Oceanic crust is lighter than the continental crust?

No, the oceanic crust is denser. That's why the land areas "float" so much higher than the ocean bedrock.


Why is the main reason that oceanic crust is heavier than continental crust?

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.


What is oceanic-oceanic subduction?

Oceanic crust sinking under a plate with continental crust