Which hypothesis explains why continental plates have higher elevations than oceanic plates?

Question

Question 20 options:

A)

Continental plates and oceanic plates have the same mass.

B)

Continental plates are less dense than oceanic plates.

C)

Oceanic plates are less dense than continental plates.

D)

Continental plates and oceanic plates have the same density but different mass.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

B) Continental plates are less dense than oceanic plates.

This is because continental crust is composed primarily of granitic rock, which is less dense than the basaltic rock that makes up the oceanic crust. As a result, continental plates have higher elevations compared to oceanic plates.