How does a continental plate differ from an oceanic plate? ​

Answer:A continental plate differs from an oceanic plate in several key ways:Composition: Continental plates are primarily composed of granite, a less dense, felsic (rich in feldspar and silica) rock. Oceanic plates are primarily composed of basalt, a denser, mafic (rich in magnesium and iron) rock.Density: Continental plates are less dense (about 2.7 g/cm³) than oceanic plates (about 3.0 g/cm³). This density difference is a major reason why continental crust "floats" higher on the mantle than oceanic crust.Thickness: Continental crust is significantly thicker, averaging around 30-50 km (and up to 70 km under mountain ranges). Oceanic crust is much thinner, typically ranging from 5-10 km.Age: Continental crust is much older on average than oceanic crust. Some continental rocks are billions of years old, while the oldest oceanic crust is only about 200 million years old. This is because oceanic crust is constantly being created at mid-ocean ridges and destroyed at subduction zones.Elevation: Continental plates generally have higher elevations above sea level than oceanic plates. This is due to their lower density and greater thickness.Here's a table summarizing the key differences:Feature     Continental Plate    Oceanic PlateComposition    Granite                     BasaltDensity                  Lower                         HigherThickness         Thicker                        ThinnerAge                           Older                       YoungerElevation            Higher                          Lower

Answered by Velvrix | 2025-08-19

Continental plates are thick, light, old, and granitic, while oceanic plates are thin, dense, young, and basaltic

Answered by chtub67 | 2025-08-19