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Old sea floor rocks are much younger than old continental rocks! This is because the oceanic lithospheric plate forming the seafloor tends to be recycled at places known as subduction zones where it is forced below less dense (commonly continental) lithosphere.

As such the oldest continental rocks tend to be 2-3 billion years old whereas oceanic crust neve tends to be more than a few hundred million years old.

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βˆ™ 14y ago
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βˆ™ 5mo ago

Old seafloor rocks are generally younger than old continental rocks. Seafloor rocks are constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges and then moving away from the ridge due to seafloor spreading, making them relatively young compared to continental rocks that have been part of the Earth's crust for much longer.

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βˆ™ 16y ago

It depends on where on the continents compared to where on the ocean floor. Generally speaking, interior continent areas display rocks of greater age than one would find on the ocean floor.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

Continental rock is generally much older than seafloor rock, due to plate tectonics.

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βˆ™ 10y ago

Yes. The oldest rocks on the seafloor are about 200 million years old. The olderst continental rocks are well over 3 billion years old.

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Q: Which are younger old seafloor rocks or old continental rocks?
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Are rocks on the seafloor older then the continental rocks?

Yes, rocks on the seafloor are generally younger than rocks found on continents. This is due to the process of seafloor spreading where new oceanic crust is continuously being formed at mid-ocean ridges. As a result, the rocks on the seafloor are constantly being recycled, making them younger compared to continental rocks, which can be billions of years old.


The oldest rocks on the seafloor are much younger than the oldest rocks on the continents?

The rocks on the seafloor are generally less than 200 million years old due to the process of seafloor spreading and subduction, which recycles old rocks. In contrast, some rocks on the continents can be over 4 billion years old, dating back to the formation of Earth's crust. This difference in age is attributed to the dynamic nature of plate tectonics.


Which has the younger rock the continental crust or oceanic crust?

The oceanic crust is generally younger than the continental crust. The oceanic crust is continuously being formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity, while the continental crust is much older and has undergone more complex geological processes over time.


Rocks in continental crust are as old as years.?

Rocks in continental crust can be as old as about 4 billion years. This is because the continental crust is made up of a mixture of ancient rocks that have been around since the Earth's early history. By studying these rocks, scientists can learn more about the planet's evolution and geological processes.


Why is the age of a fault younger than the rocks in which it was found?

The fault must be younger because it cuts across the existing rocks, indicating that it formed after the rocks were already in place. This suggests that the faulting event occurred after the deposition of the rock layers.

Related questions

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

The oldest rocks on the continents can be billions of years old, while the oldest rocks on the seafloor are generally less than 200 million years old. This is because the process of plate tectonics continuously recycles the seafloor, leading to the younger age of the rocks compared to those on the continents.


Are rocks on the seafloor older then the continental rocks?

Yes, rocks on the seafloor are generally younger than rocks found on continents. This is due to the process of seafloor spreading where new oceanic crust is continuously being formed at mid-ocean ridges. As a result, the rocks on the seafloor are constantly being recycled, making them younger compared to continental rocks, which can be billions of years old.


The oldest rocks on the seafloor are much younger than the oldest rocks on the continents?

The rocks on the seafloor are generally less than 200 million years old due to the process of seafloor spreading and subduction, which recycles old rocks. In contrast, some rocks on the continents can be over 4 billion years old, dating back to the formation of Earth's crust. This difference in age is attributed to the dynamic nature of plate tectonics.


How much older are the oceanic rocks than the continental rocks?

Oceanic rocks are generally younger than continental rocks, with oceanic crust averaging about 200 million years old and continental crust averaging about 2.5 billion years old. This is due to the process of seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is constantly being formed and pushing older crust away.


Why is the seafloor young?

The seafloor is continuously being created at mid-ocean ridges through seafloor spreading, where tectonic plates move apart and magma rises from the mantle to create new oceanic crust. As a result, the oldest seafloor is only about 200 million years old, much younger than continental crust which can be billions of years old.


Are ocean floor rocks older or younger than the continental rocks?

Ocean floor rocks are typically younger than continental rocks due to the process of seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridges. As new oceanic crust forms at ridges, it pushes older crust away, making the rocks closest to the ridge the youngest. On the other hand, continental rocks can be billions of years old due to their complex history of formation and preservation.


What age is the oldest rocks from the seafloor?

The oldest rock are up to 125 million years old.


Rocks in ocean crust are as old as how many years?

Rocks in ocean crust are generally as old as 200 million years. The oldest oceanic crust is found near continents, which can be around 250 million years old. However, most of the oceanic crust is continually being formed and destroyed through seafloor spreading and subduction, so rocks are often much younger.


Is the continental rocks 4 billion years old?

yes.


How old are rocks in ocean crust?

Rocks in ocean crust can vary in age, but on average they are usually around 200 million years old near mid-ocean ridges and can be up to billions of years old near continents. The rocks closer to mid-ocean ridges are younger due to the process of seafloor spreading, where new crust is continually formed.


Which has the younger rock the continental crust or oceanic crust?

The oceanic crust is generally younger than the continental crust. The oceanic crust is continuously being formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity, while the continental crust is much older and has undergone more complex geological processes over time.


Rocks in continental crust are as old as years.?

Rocks in continental crust can be as old as about 4 billion years. This is because the continental crust is made up of a mixture of ancient rocks that have been around since the Earth's early history. By studying these rocks, scientists can learn more about the planet's evolution and geological processes.