As it ages and moves away from the ridge, it cools and thickens. Oceanic crust: Found beneath the deep ocean basins, this crust is composed of basalt and gabbro.
Molten Interior: How Mantle Dynamics Drive Plate Movement
When oceanic crust is first formed at mid-ocean ridges, it is hot and thin. Plate Type Primary Crustal Rock Primary Mantle Rock Key Minerals.
Oceanic plates are dominated by mafic rocks, which are rich in magnesium and iron. This thermal contraction causes the rigid mantle layer to become stronger and more brittle.
How Molten Interior Dynamics Drive Plate Movement
The Layered Structure: Lithosphere and Asthenosphere To address what tectonic plates are composed of, one must first distinguish between the plate itself and the boundary below it. Oceanic The most significant variation in plate composition arises from the type of crust they carry.
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