It is denser, thinner, and younger than continental crust, constantly being created at mid-ocean ridges and destroyed at subduction zones. Continental plates, conversely, are dominated by felsic rocks, rich in silicon and aluminum.
Lithosphere Composition: The Building Blocks of Tectonic Plates
This rigid outer layer is mechanically strong and includes both the crust and the uppermost mantle. The composition remains largely basaltic and peridotitic, but the physical state changes from a flexible layer to a strong, rigid lid capable of supporting the weight of continents or resisting the pull of subduction.
When oceanic crust is first formed at mid-ocean ridges, it is hot and thin. Crustal Components: Continental vs.
Lithosphere Composition: The Building Blocks of Tectonic Plates
The Role of Oceanic Mantle and Thermal Structure Not all oceanic plates are created equal, and their composition varies with age. As it ages and moves away from the ridge, it cools and thickens.
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