Asked by diddy
IS CONTINENTAL CRUST DENSER THAN OCEANIC CRUST
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Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
No — continental crust is generally less dense than oceanic crust.
Key points:
- Typical densities: continental crust ≈ 2.6–2.8 g/cm³ (average ~2.7 g/cm³); oceanic crust ≈ 2.9–3.0 g/cm³.
- Composition: continental crust is more felsic (granitic: silica- and feldspar-rich) → lower density; oceanic crust is mafic (basalt/gabbro) → higher density.
- Thickness: continental crust is much thicker (≈ 30–70 km) vs. oceanic crust (≈ 5–10 km), which helps continents sit higher (isostasy).
- Consequences: denser oceanic crust tends to subduct beneath less-dense continental crust at convergent plate boundaries.
There are local variations, but the general global pattern is that continental crust is lighter (less dense) than oceanic crust.
Key points:
- Typical densities: continental crust ≈ 2.6–2.8 g/cm³ (average ~2.7 g/cm³); oceanic crust ≈ 2.9–3.0 g/cm³.
- Composition: continental crust is more felsic (granitic: silica- and feldspar-rich) → lower density; oceanic crust is mafic (basalt/gabbro) → higher density.
- Thickness: continental crust is much thicker (≈ 30–70 km) vs. oceanic crust (≈ 5–10 km), which helps continents sit higher (isostasy).
- Consequences: denser oceanic crust tends to subduct beneath less-dense continental crust at convergent plate boundaries.
There are local variations, but the general global pattern is that continental crust is lighter (less dense) than oceanic crust.
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