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How are oceanic and continental crust alike and how are they different?

Oceanic and Continental crusts are alike because they both shift and move and grow. They differ by there rock types. Oceanic crust is made up of dense basalt while continental crust is made up of less dense granite.


Why does the oceanic plate subduct and the continent doesn't?

Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates due to their composition and age. When two plates collide and one is denser, the denser plate will subduct beneath the less dense plate. This is why oceanic plates subduct beneath continental plates in a process known as subduction.


What is the main difference between continental plates and oceanic plates?

Oceanic crust is created on Mid ocean ridges and of basaltic composition. Oceanic crust is on average comparatively young as it is subducted into the mantle in subduction zones. Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than average continental crust.The composition and age distribution of continental crust is much more complicated than that of oceanic crust. It is on average less dense and much thicker than oceanic crust and its composition is roughly that of a tonalite (something similar to a granite but with less alkali feldspar). Apart from igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks, the sedimentary rocks add a lot to the variety of lithologies found on the continents (carbonates, evaporites, sandstones, shales, conglomerates, etc.).As opposed to oceanic crust, continental crust is not subducted into the mantle in large quantities but has been gradually accumulating over geologic timescales.


How does the age of oldest continental crust compare to the age oldest ocean crust?

The oldest continental crust is significantly older than the oldest oceanic crust. The oldest continental rocks, found in regions like Canada and Australia, are over 4 billion years old. In contrast, the oldest oceanic crust, located at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, is only about 200 million years old, as it is continuously created and destroyed through the process of plate tectonics. This stark difference highlights the stability and longevity of continental crust compared to the dynamic nature of oceanic crust.


What happens in a continental to oceanic plate collision?

When a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate, the denser oceanic plate will be subducted beneath the less dense continental plate due to the difference in density. This process can result in the formation of deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and mountain ranges. Additionally, earthquakes and tsunamis can occur as a result of the intense tectonic activity in these zones.

Related Questions

How are oceanic and continental crust alike and how are they different?

Oceanic and Continental crusts are alike because they both shift and move and grow. They differ by there rock types. Oceanic crust is made up of dense basalt while continental crust is made up of less dense granite.


How does the age of oceanic crust compare to the age of continental crust?

Oceanic crust is generally younger than continental crust. Oceanic crust is continuously formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity and then gradually moves away from the ridge, undergoing processes that make it relatively young compared to the older continental crust.


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.


What is the difference between the continental crust and the oceanic?

Continental crust is much older, granitic in nature, and less dense than oceanic crust which is composed of basaltic rock. Oceanic crust is in a constant state of creation and destruction through the processes of plate tectonics. Oceanic crust is also considerably less thick than continental crust.


How does the age of the oldest continental crust compared to the age of the oldest oceanic crust?

The oldest continental crust would be between three and one half to four billion years older than the oldest oceanic crust. This is due to the fact that ocean plates are subducted under the continental plates, subjected to partial melt and essentially recycled in the mantle before reforming.


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.


Is oceanic lithosphere lighter than continental lithosphere?

no


Why does the oceanic plate subduct and the continent doesn't?

Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates due to their composition and age. When two plates collide and one is denser, the denser plate will subduct beneath the less dense plate. This is why oceanic plates subduct beneath continental plates in a process known as subduction.


What is the main difference between continental plates and oceanic plates?

Oceanic crust is created on Mid ocean ridges and of basaltic composition. Oceanic crust is on average comparatively young as it is subducted into the mantle in subduction zones. Oceanic crust is denser and thinner than average continental crust.The composition and age distribution of continental crust is much more complicated than that of oceanic crust. It is on average less dense and much thicker than oceanic crust and its composition is roughly that of a tonalite (something similar to a granite but with less alkali feldspar). Apart from igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks, the sedimentary rocks add a lot to the variety of lithologies found on the continents (carbonates, evaporites, sandstones, shales, conglomerates, etc.).As opposed to oceanic crust, continental crust is not subducted into the mantle in large quantities but has been gradually accumulating over geologic timescales.


How does the age of oldest continental crust compare to the age oldest ocean crust?

The oldest continental crust is significantly older than the oldest oceanic crust. The oldest continental rocks, found in regions like Canada and Australia, are over 4 billion years old. In contrast, the oldest oceanic crust, located at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, is only about 200 million years old, as it is continuously created and destroyed through the process of plate tectonics. This stark difference highlights the stability and longevity of continental crust compared to the dynamic nature of oceanic crust.


What happens in a continental to oceanic plate collision?

When a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate, the denser oceanic plate will be subducted beneath the less dense continental plate due to the difference in density. This process can result in the formation of deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and mountain ranges. Additionally, earthquakes and tsunamis can occur as a result of the intense tectonic activity in these zones.


How would the age of the oldest rock on the continents compare with the age of the oldest rock on the seafloor?

The sea floor is young (the rocks are made at the mid oceanic ridges and spread out form there) while most of the continental rocks are older. This is because the continental crust floats on top of the oceanic crust and is therefore not recycled.