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LaoEarth's oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and younger than Earth's continental crust. It is primarily composed of basaltic rock, whereas continental crust is made up of less dense granitic rock. Oceanic crust is constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges and destroyed at subduction zones.
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Which type of crust is primarily made of basalt and is more dense?
Oceanic crust is primarily made of basalt and is more dense than continental crust. It is also younger and thinner compared to continental crust.
What are the Differences in height between continental crust and oceanic crust?
Continental crust is generally thicker and more buoyant than oceanic crust, with an average thickness of around 30-50 km compared to about 5-10 km for oceanic crust. This means that continental crust stands higher above sea level compared to oceanic crust, which lies lower below sea level.
Where is the crust located in the earths layers?
The Earth's crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, and it is the thinnest layer compared to the mantle and core. It is divided into oceanic crust, which is thinner and denser, and continental crust, which is thicker and less dense.
Both continental crust and oceanic crust consist mainly of what elements?
Both continental crust and oceanic crust consist mainly of silicon and oxygen, forming silica-based minerals. However, oceanic crust tends to have higher concentrations of iron and magnesium compared to 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.
