The age of material on a tectonic plate depends in part on what type of crust it is composed of. tends to be younger because it is continually produced at the and then recycled. On the other hand, tends to be older because it can often remain intact for longer periods.

Answer 1

The age of material on an oceanic tectonic plate tends to be younger because it is continually produced at the mid-oceanic ridges and then recycled back into the mantle through subduction zones. As oceanic plates diverge at the ridges, new crust is formed through volcanic activity, and the older crust that was previously at the ridge gets pushed away. This process of continuous creation and destruction of oceanic crust keeps the material relatively young.

On the other hand, the age of material on a continental tectonic plate tends to be older because it can often remain intact for longer periods. Continental crust is generally thicker and more buoyant than oceanic crust, which makes it less prone to subduction. Instead of being consumed at subduction zones like oceanic crust, continental crust can persist over millions or even billions of years. This allows for the accumulation of older materials, such as ancient rocks, sediments, and fossils, which contribute to the overall age of the continental plate.