How is continental lithosphere different from oceanic lithosphere quizlet?

How is continental lithosphere different from oceanic lithosphere quizlet?

The continental lithosphere is different from the oceanic lithosphere because the continental lithosphere is mostly made of granite, is about 150km thick, and is less dense than oceanic crust.

What is the difference between oceanic lithospheric material and continental lithospheric material?

Oceanic lithosphere is associated with oceanic crust, and is slightly denser than continental lithosphere. The most well-known feature associated with Earth’s lithosphere is tectonic activity. The movement of tectonic plates is made possible by thermal energy (heat) from the mantle part of the lithosphere.

What is the difference between oceanic crust and oceanic lithosphere?

What is the difference between the crust and lithosphere? The crust (whether continental or oceanic) is the thin layer of distinctive chemical composition overlying the ultramafic upper mantle. The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth required by plate tectonic theory.

Why is the oceanic lithosphere denser than continental lithosphere?

In the theory of tectonic plates, at a convergent boundary between a continental plate and an oceanic plate, the denser plate usually subducts underneath the less dense plate. It is well known that oceanic plates subduct under continental plates, and therefore oceanic plates are more dense than continental plates.

Is continental lithosphere is thicker than oceanic lithosphere?

7.2 Inhomogeneous Cooling/Continents. Continental lithosphere is thicker than its oceanic counterpart and does not subduct. Its crust is also richer in radioactive elements.

Can a plate contain both continental and oceanic lithosphere?

Yes a single plate can include both continental and oceanic lithosphere. Mid-ocean ridges are formed by magma from the mantle rising to the surface at the ridge, solidifies to form oceanic crust then moves laterally away from the ridge.

What is called the upper layer of lithosphere?

The upper most layer of the lithosphere is called “CRUST”

What are the characteristics of a lithosphere plate?

Each lithospheric plate is composed of a layer of oceanic crust or continental crust superficial to an outer layer of the mantle. Containing both crust and the upper region of the mantle, lithospheric plates are generally considered to be approximately 60 mi (100 km) thick.

Why do oceanic plates go under continental plates?

When an oceanic plate converges with a continental plate, the oceanic crust will always subduct under the continental crust; this is because oceanic crust is naturally denser. This melting leads to heat being transferred upwards and uplifting the crust, eventually developing into a volcano.