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The basaltic oceanic crust is more dense than the granitic continental crust. Therefore, when the two meet at plate margins, the oceanic crust usually subducts beneath the continental plate.

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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 are continental crust and oceanic crust are alike?

Oceanic and continental crust contain the same elements. Both also move and shift and grow continuously. They are different because of their density.


How are oceanic crust and continental crust alike 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.


Do tectonic plates consist of continental or oceanic crust?

Tectonic plates consist of both continental and oceanic crust. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that constantly move and interact with each other. Some plates are predominantly made up of continental crust, while others are mostly composed of oceanic crust.


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.


What would happen if the continental crust and the oceanic crust went into each other?

In a convergent plate collision between continental and oceanic plates, the more dense oceanic plate would subduct, or move underneath, the less dense continental plate, eventually melting into the mantle at the leading edge.


What layer of earth forms the continents?

the crust. the layer below that is the layer of molten lava called the mantle. the continental plates move and float on this. this is known as continental drift


What is a destructive plate boundry?

this is when one made up of continental crust and one made up of oceanic crust move towards eachother.


What is the difference between the oceanic crust and continental crust and how does this influence plate boundary interactions?

When two plates move towards one another, they form either a subduction zone or a continental collision. This depends on the nature of the plates involved. In a subduction zone, the subducting plate, which is normally a plate with oceanic crust, moves beneath the other plate, which can be made of either oceanic or continental crust. During collisions between two continental plates, large mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas are formed. Oceanic crust is a type of crust that is submerged in huge bodies of water, while continental crust is the type of crust beneath the continents. Oceanic crust is thinner but denser, while the continental crust is thicker but lighter. Whenever a continental crust and an oceanic crust meets and collides, they form a convergence zone. The oceanic crust sinks below the continental crust(subduction zone) because it is denser. As it sinks into the mantle, it becomes magma which soon rises up to the surface to stabilize the mantle, thus creating a volcano. The continental crust, being the lighter one, does not sink. It may fold and form mountains. The nature of a convergent boundary depends on the type of lithosphere in the plates that are colliding. Where a dense oceanic plate collides with a less-dense continental plate, the oceanic plate is typically thrust underneath because of the greater buoyancy of the continental lithosphere, forming a subduction zone. At the surface, the topographic expression is commonly an oceanic trench on the ocean side and a mountain range on the continental side. An example of a continental-oceanic subduction zone is the area along the western coast of South America where the oceanic Nazca Plate is being subducted beneath the continental South American Plate.


Why is Japan a destructive plate margin?

Continental crust (Eurasian Plate) and oceanic crust (pacific plate) move towards each other, oceanic crust sinks because its denser, this forms deep sea trenches and volcanoes


Do divergent boundaries everoccur between continental and oceanic crust?

Yes, divergent boundaries can occur between continental and oceanic crust. An example of this is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where new oceanic crust is formed as the North American and Eurasian plates move apart. This process leads to seafloor spreading and the creation of new oceanic lithosphere.


What effect does convection currents in the upper mantle have on the crust?

Convection currents in the mantle create plate tectonics.