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At mid-ocean ridges, such as the Atlantic Rise and Pacific Rise. As two plates move apart the crust is stretched and thinned, causing less pressure on the mantle immediately below. Due to this drop in pressure the mantle undergoes "decompressional melting" allowing magma to form. This magma is less dense than the surrounding mantle and rises at the mid-ocean ridges, cooling and forming new oceanic crust.

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What happens to mantle rock descending oceanic crust scrapes past continental crust?

As the oceanic crust descends beneath the continental crust, the mantle rock is subjected to high pressure and temperature. This causes the mantle rock to partially melt, producing magma that can rise to the surface and form volcanoes. The interaction of the descending oceanic crust with the continental crust can also lead to earthquake activity.


What happens when heavier oceanic crust converges with lighter crust at a deep ocean trench?

When heavier oceanic crust converges with lighter crust at a deep ocean trench, the heavier oceanic crust is usually forced under the lighter crust in a process known as subduction. This can create deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs on the overriding plate. The subducting plate can also melt and cause volcanic activity.


What crust is more dense oceanic or continental crust?

Oceanic crust is significantly denser.


How convergent continental crust can lead into oceanic plates?

Convergent continental crust can lead to the formation of oceanic plates through a process called subduction. When two tectonic plates collide, the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the less dense continental plate, creating a subduction zone. As the oceanic plate descends into the mantle, it can partially melt and contribute to volcanic activity on the continental crust. Over time, this process can lead to the creation of new oceanic crust as the material is recycled and reformed.


What are three differences between oceanic and continental crust?

Continental crust is mostly composed out of granite, oceanic crust out of basalt.Continental crust is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust.

Related Questions

What happens to mantle rock descending oceanic crust scrapes past continental crust?

As the oceanic crust descends beneath the continental crust, the mantle rock is subjected to high pressure and temperature. This causes the mantle rock to partially melt, producing magma that can rise to the surface and form volcanoes. The interaction of the descending oceanic crust with the continental crust can also lead to earthquake activity.


Does continental crust have a greater density than oceanic crust?

Yes, that is the reason oceanic crust is at a lower elevation compared to continental crust. Oceanic crust sub-ducts under the less dense continental crust. Continental crust is much older than oceanic crust, because oceanic crust is constantly being destroyed and created.


When continental plates collide what happens to the oceanic crust between them?

When continental plates collide, the denser oceanic crust is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental crust. This process can create subduction zones, where the oceanic crust is forced downward into the mantle. The oceanic crust may melt or be recycled back into the mantle in these subduction zones.


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.


What is oceanic-oceanic subduction?

Oceanic crust sinking under a plate with continental crust


Is the oceanic crust felsic or mafic?

Oceanic crust is mafic.


What does it mean if the oceanic crust 0?

the oceanic crust is 0.


What crust is more dense oceanic or continental crust?

Oceanic crust is significantly denser.


What happens when heavier oceanic crust converges with lighter crust at a deep ocean trench?

When heavier oceanic crust converges with lighter crust at a deep ocean trench, the heavier oceanic crust is usually forced under the lighter crust in a process known as subduction. This can create deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs on the overriding plate. The subducting plate can also melt and cause volcanic activity.


Where are the youngest portion of Earth's crust found?

The youngest parts of the Earth's crust are found in the oceanic crust. This crust is continuously being created at the mid-oceanic ridges.


Would it be better to drill through the earths crust or the oceanic crust?

oceanic crust


What is older the oceanic crust or the continental crust?

Continental crust is far older than oceanic crust.