Question

Explain the difference in density of oceanic and continental crust ○ Where they the same densities when they were formed (HINT: Use the self-check on page 6 of the lesson?

Answer 1

Both differ in densities and thickness.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The continental crust is low in density but more thick than the oceanic crust that is 20-70 km thicker as compared to oceanic i.e 5-10 km and has a density of 2.7 compared to 3.0 g/cm cube.

• The continental crust is largely made up of granite and on an average has a thickness of 35 km. This suggests they did not have the same density when they were formed as the oceanic crust is much older than continental crust.