0
Still curious? Ask our experts.
Chat with our AI personalities
Rafa
Blake
ReneTectonic plates are composed of both oceanic and continental crust. Oceanic plates are predominantly made of basaltic rock, while continental plates are primarily composed of granitic rock. The Earth's lithosphere, which includes the tectonic plates, is made up of these crustal rocks.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the structure of most tectonic plates?
Tectonic plates are typically composed of a rigid outer layer known as the lithosphere, which includes the crust and upper part of the mantle. This lithospheric layer is broken into several large and small plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. These plates interact along their boundaries, which can be convergent, divergent, or transform faults.
Are plates composed of the crust and part of the upper mantle?
Yes, tectonic plates are composed of the Earth's crust and part of the upper mantle. The movement of these plates is responsible for various geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Does Jupiter have tectonic plates?
Jupiter does not have tectonic plates like those found on Earth. Jupiter is a gas giant composed mostly of hydrogen and helium, with no solid surface for tectonic activity to occur. Tectonic plates are unique to rocky planets like Earth.
What layer do tectonic plates sit om?
Tectonic plates sit on the lithosphere, which is the rigid outer layer of the Earth composed of the crust and uppermost mantle. This layer is divided into several large and small plates that move on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them.
What kind of rock are the tectonic plates composed of?
Tectonic plates are composed of primarily of lithosphere, which is a combination of crust and upper mantle rock. The crust portion is mainly made up of igneous and metamorphic rocks, while the upper mantle portion consists of peridotite, a type of ultramafic rock.
