This thermal contraction causes the rigid mantle layer to become stronger and more brittle. Oceanic crust: Found beneath the deep ocean basins, this crust is composed of basalt and gabbro.
Plate Types Surface Geology Density
When oceanic crust is first formed at mid-ocean ridges, it is hot and thin. Continental plates, conversely, are dominated by felsic rocks, rich in silicon and aluminum.
Oceanic plates are dominated by mafic rocks, which are rich in magnesium and iron. As it ages and moves away from the ridge, it cools and thickens.
Plate Types Surface Geology Density
These segments, which glide over the molten interior, are the tectonic plates, and their composition dictates much of the planet’s dynamic behavior. Crustal Components: Continental vs.
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