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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.

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12y ago
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5mo ago

Continental lithosphere is thicker, less dense, and made up of continental crust, which is primarily composed of granitic rock. Oceanic lithosphere is thinner, more dense, and consists of oceanic crust, which is primarily composed of basaltic rock. Additionally, oceanic lithosphere is typically younger than continental lithosphere.

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9y ago

Continental lithosphere is thicker and less dense than oceanic lithosphere. Continental crust is primarily composed of granitic rock while oceanic crust is composed primarily of basaltic rock.

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12y ago

CONTINENTAL CRUST is 35km of thickness and oceanic is 7 km. i hope that helped

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12y ago

The material they are made of.

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14y ago

whether it is above an ocean or continent

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Q: How is continental lithosphere different from oceanic lithosphere?
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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.


Why is oceanic lithosphere subducted during and oceanic continental collision where as the continental plate is not?

Oceanic lithosphere is denser than continental lithosphere, so it is more likely to be subducted during a collision. The downward force exerted by the dense oceanic plate causes it to sink beneath the less dense continental plate. Furthermore, oceanic lithosphere is typically thinner and more malleable, making it easier to be forced beneath the continental lithosphere.


What happens when continental and oceanic lithospheres collide?

When continental and oceanic lithospheres collide, the denser oceanic plate is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental plate due to the difference in density. This can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs on the overriding continental plate and deep-sea trenches where the oceanic plate is subducted. The collision can also result in mountain building and the formation of complex geological structures.


Is the lithosphere thinner under the oceanic or continental crust?

The lithosphere is generally thinner under oceanic crust compared to continental crust. Oceanic lithosphere is typically around 5-10 kilometers thick, while continental lithosphere can be up to 200 kilometers thick. This difference is due to variations in temperature and composition between the two types of crust.

Related questions

How is continental lithosphere different oceanic lithosphere?

Continental lithosphere is thicker and less dense than oceanic lithosphere. Continental crust is primarily composed of granitic rock while oceanic crust is composed primarily of basaltic rock.


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.


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.


Name the two types of lithospheric plates?

There are two types of lithosphere: the oceanic lithosphere and the continental lithosphere. The oceanic lithosphere exists in the ocean basins while the continental lithosphere exists in the continental crust.


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.


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.


Why is oceanic lithosphere subducted during and oceanic continental collision where as the continental plate is not?

Oceanic lithosphere is denser than continental lithosphere, so it is more likely to be subducted during a collision. The downward force exerted by the dense oceanic plate causes it to sink beneath the less dense continental plate. Furthermore, oceanic lithosphere is typically thinner and more malleable, making it easier to be forced beneath the continental lithosphere.


What the lithosphere made up of?

The lithosphere is composed of the oceanic and continental crusts.


What happens when continental and oceanic lithospheres collide?

When continental and oceanic lithospheres collide, the denser oceanic plate is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental plate due to the difference in density. This can lead to the formation of volcanic arcs on the overriding continental plate and deep-sea trenches where the oceanic plate is subducted. The collision can also result in mountain building and the formation of complex geological structures.


What are the two lithosphere plates called?

Continental and oceanic