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Oceanic lithosphere gets older as it moves away from the mid-ocean ridges where new lithosphere is formed. This process, known as seafloor spreading, causes older lithosphere to be pushed further from the ridge, resulting in a gradient of lithosphere age with the oldest being farthest from the ridges.
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What types of crust can be found in the lithosphere?
The lithosphere can have two main types of crust: continental crust and oceanic crust. Continental crust is thicker, older, and less dense than oceanic crust. Oceanic crust is thinner, younger, and denser, primarily composed of basaltic rocks.
How is continental lithosphere different from oceanic lithosphere?
Continental plates are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are mainly granitic in composition. Oceanic plates are mainly basaltic in composition. The rock of continental plates is on average, much older than the rock of the oceanic plates. The oceanic plate underlies the oceans, and the continental plate makes up the land masses. Continental plates do not subduct at convergent plate boundaries.
Is oceanic lithosphere lighter than continental lithosphere?
no
Why is oceanic lithosphere subducted while continental lithosphere is not?
Oceanic lithosphere is denser and cooler than continental lithosphere, making it more prone to subduction. As oceanic lithosphere descends into the mantle at subduction zones, it creates a trench and can trigger volcanic activity. Continental lithosphere, being less dense and thicker, tends to be buoyant and is typically too buoyant to be subducted.
Does continental lithosphere contain more mafic rocks than oceanic lithosphere?
No, oceanic lithosphere contains more mafic rocks compared to continental lithosphere. Oceanic lithosphere is mainly composed of basalt, which is a mafic rock, whereas continental lithosphere is composed of a variety of rock types, including granitic rocks which are more felsic in composition.
Does oceanic lithosphere get older or younger as you move closer to mid-ocean range?
Younger
Does the oceanic lithosphere get younger or older as you move closer to the mid ocean ridge?
It gets younger.
When oceanic lithosphere subducts beneath oceanic lithosphere?
The older, denser oceanic lithosphere will subduct beneath the younger, less dense oceanic lithosphere. This process can lead to the formation of deep ocean trenches, volcanic island arcs, and earthquakes. The descending plate may partially melt, contributing to the formation of magma that can erupt as volcanoes.
Does the oceanic lithosphere get older or younger as you move to Mid Ocean ridge?
Younger. The mid-ocean ridge is formed from new material being thrust up from inside the Earth.
What types of crust can be found in the lithosphere?
The lithosphere can have two main types of crust: continental crust and oceanic crust. Continental crust is thicker, older, and less dense than oceanic crust. Oceanic crust is thinner, younger, and denser, primarily composed of basaltic rocks.
Why does oceanic lithosphere sink beneath convergent lithosphere at convergent boundaries?
As odd as it is to think of things this way, continental lithosphere is more buoyant than oceanic lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is more dense.
How is continental lithosphere different from oceanic lithosphere?
Continental plates are thicker and less dense. Continental plates are mainly granitic in composition. Oceanic plates are mainly basaltic in composition. The rock of continental plates is on average, much older than the rock of the oceanic plates. The oceanic plate underlies the oceans, and the continental plate makes up the land masses. Continental plates do not subduct at convergent plate boundaries.
Why does oceanic lithosphere sink beneath continental lithosphere at convergent boundary's?
As odd as it is to think of things this way, continental lithosphere is more buoyant than oceanic lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is more dense.
Why does oceanic lithosphere sinks beneath continental lithosphere at convergent boundaries?
As odd as it is to think of things this way, continental lithosphere is more buoyant than oceanic lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere is more dense.
What is oceanic lithosphere?
The lithosphere is composed of crust and hard upper mantle. The oceanic lithosphere would be hard upper mantle and basaltic oceanic crust.
What is the oceanic lithosphere?
The lithosphere is composed of crust and hard upper mantle. The oceanic lithosphere would be hard upper mantle and basaltic oceanic crust.
Why does oceanic lithosphere sub duct while continental lithosphere does not?
Oceanic lithosphere is dense enough to be forced down into the mantle. Continental lithosphere is not.
