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Because Oceanic crust is more dense and the Continental Crust is mountains which are a lot taller than sea floor.

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Are oceanic or continental crusts more buoyant?

Continental crust is more buoyant than oceanic crust because it is thicker and composed mainly of less dense rocks like granite, whereas oceanic crust is thinner and denser due to its basaltic composition. This difference in density causes continental crust to float higher on the mantle, making it more buoyant.


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.


Does seafloor displaces more of the mantle that the same thickness of the continental crust?

Yes, the denser oceanic crust of the seafloor will displace more mantle material compared to the same thickness of continental crust due to its higher density. This is because the thicker, less dense continental crust floats higher on the mantle compared to the thinner, denser oceanic crust.


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.


Why does oceanic lithosphere sub duct while continental lithosphere does not?

Oceanic lithosphere is dense enough to be forced down into the mantle. Continental lithosphere is not.

Related Questions

Are oceanic or continental crusts more buoyant?

Continental crust is more buoyant than oceanic crust because it is thicker and composed mainly of less dense rocks like granite, whereas oceanic crust is thinner and denser due to its basaltic composition. This difference in density causes continental crust to float higher on the mantle, making it more buoyant.


Why does the continental crust float higher on the mantle than on the oceanic crust?

Continental crust is less dense and thicker than oceanic crust, causing it to float higher on the mantle. The continental crust is also compositionally different, with a greater amount of less dense materials like granite compared to the basaltic composition of oceanic crust. This difference in density and composition results in the continental crust floating higher on the mantle.


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.


Does seafloor displaces more of the mantle that the same thickness of the continental crust?

Yes, the denser oceanic crust of the seafloor will displace more mantle material compared to the same thickness of continental crust due to its higher density. This is because the thicker, less dense continental crust floats higher on the mantle compared to the thinner, denser oceanic crust.


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.


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

The continental crust because it is thicker than the oceanic crust


What are the two types of earths crusts?

The two types of Earth's crust are continental crust and oceanic crust. Continental crust is thicker, less dense, and composed mainly of granite, while oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and made up mostly of basalt.


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.


What layer of earth makes up the plates?

the crust + lithosphere earth's crust: crust crust continental crust lithosphere crust continental and oceanic crust mantle asthenosphere mantle lower mantle mantle outer core outer core inner core inner core


What and the difference between oceanic and continental?

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.


Why does oceanic lithosphere sub duct while continental lithosphere does not?

Oceanic lithosphere is dense enough to be forced down into the mantle. Continental lithosphere is not.


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.