Plate Tectonics Questions
The main difference between continental and oceanic crust lies in their composition, thickness, and density.
Continental crust is primarily composed of granitic rocks, which are lighter in color and less dense compared to oceanic crust. It is thicker, ranging from 30 to 50 kilometers in depth, and can extend above sea level to form continents. Continental crust is also older, with some parts dating back billions of years.
On the other hand, oceanic crust is mainly composed of basaltic rocks, which are darker and denser than granitic rocks. It is thinner, typically around 5 to 10 kilometers in depth, and forms the ocean floor. Oceanic crust is relatively younger, with most parts being less than 200 million years old.
These differences in composition, thickness, and age contribute to the contrasting behavior of continental and oceanic crust during plate tectonic processes.