Continental crust plates are typically less dense than oceanic plates. Explain

True
False

1 answer

True. Continental crust plates are typically less dense than oceanic plates. This is due to the composition and structure of the two types of crust.

Continental crust is made up of less dense rock types such as granite, which has a lower density compared to the basaltic rocks that make up oceanic crust. Additionally, continental crust is thicker and more buoyant than oceanic crust.

Oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges where magma rises to the surface and cools, creating new oceanic crust. As it moves away from the ridge, it becomes denser with age due to cooling and compression. The denser oceanic crust eventually subducts beneath less dense continental crust in tectonic plate boundaries.

Due to these differences in composition and structure, continental crust plates are typically less dense than oceanic plates.