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Why do trenches form when oceanic crust meets continental crust?
Oceanic crust is thinner and more dense will continental crust is thicker and less dense.
Why is continental crust deeper than oceanic crust?
The oceans flow to the places where the crust is the lowest. Gravity causes them to flow downward. The mantle, below the crust, is at the same depth everywhere, so if the crust is lower, it is because it is thinner.
Why does the oceanic crust travel underneath continental crust during subduction?
The mechanism behind the principle of tectonic plate subduction, is governed by certain laws of science (mostly in physics, chemistry and geography). This laws includes law of floatation, gravity and bouyancy . Naturally the Oceanic lithosphere which makes up the oceanic plates is composed of materials relatively denser than those of the continental lithosphere which makes up the continental plates and this is as a result of the variation in their chemistry. According to the law of flotating in physics, materials would be immersed in a fluid, according to their density and they would displace equivalent amount of that fluid as their weight/density. This generaly implies that the denser a body or material the deeper it will be emmersed in a fluid (ie, any substance that can flow eg water and molten materials), so definitely in a situation where the oceanic plate and continental plate collide the continental plate is been displaced by the oceanic plate due to difference in density, and the continental plate stays afloat because of its bouyancy. Also gravity affects the subduction of tectonic plates, by pulling the denser oceanic plate downwards and deeper into the asthenosphere than the continental plate. In summary, "the combined reactions of, bouyancy, force of gravity, effect of density, relative motion and direction of two opposite plates with different compositions" (bumping into one another), causes the circumstances surrounding plates subduction.
What is a result of a continental crust and oceanic crust collision?
Oceanic crust is formed primarily of basalts (density= 3.3 g/cm^3) and is therefore denser than that of continental crust, which is composed mainly of granite (density= 2.7 g/cm^3). This will result in a subduction zone, where the oceanic crust will be subducted underneath the continental crust and be recycled into the asthenosphere. At these locations its typically to see deep trenches and volcanic arcs.
Why do scientists need to know the different types of lava flow?
The type of lava flow lets you know the different type of volcano. Not all volcanoes are "explosive". Basalt volcano you can practically stand and watch as it explodes. Where as an andesite volcano you want to be far away. Also the different lava flow lets you know where the melting is occurring. If the flow is high in granitic composition it means the continental crust has melted. If the flow is high in basalt it is a oceanic crust melt.
What is the consistency of lava in the composite volcanoes?
Composite volcanoes are found on destructive plate margins , where the oceanic crust sinks beneath the continental crust. Composite volcanoes have the following characteristics: Acidic lava, which is very viscous (sticky). Steep sides as the lava doesn't flow very far before it solidifies
What are the major layers of earth's geosphere?
The major layers of Earth's geosphere are the crust, mantle, and core. The crust is the outermost layer and is divided into oceanic and continental crust. The mantle is situated beneath the crust and is composed of solid rock that can flow slowly over long periods of time. The core is located at the center of the Earth and is divided into the outer liquid outer core and the solid inner core.
What are the three major layers of geosphere?
The three major layers of the geosphere are the crust (outer layer), the mantle (middle layer), and the core (innermost layer). The crust is divided into continental and oceanic crust, the mantle is largely solid rock but can flow slowly over long periods of time, and the core is composed of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core.
What happen to oceanic crust at deep ocean trench?
At a deep oceanic trench the marine tectonic plate (oceanic crust) is carried (the word is subducted) beneath another tectonic plate (usually but not always - continental crust) and it sinks hundreds of miles into the Earth's Mantle. The cold wet oceanic crust is heated as it sinks and remelts to form magmas which come up 'landward' of the trench forming a string of volcanoes (an island arc). As all the margins of the Pacific Ocean are being subducted the volcanes formed are called the 'fiery ring of the pacific'. See the related links below.
What parts of Earth are solid?
The Earth's crust, which includes both the continental and oceanic crust, is solid. The Earth's mantle beneath the crust is also mostly solid, although it can flow slowly over long periods of time. The inner core of the Earth is solid due to immense pressure despite being extremely hot.
Why heat flow high at mid oceanic ridge?
That's were the Earth's crust is pulling apart - and the gap is being filled with molton lava.
3 main layers of the earth?
The three main layers of the Earth are the crust (outer layer), mantle (middle layer), and core (innermost layer). The crust is divided into oceanic and continental crust. The mantle is mostly solid rock, but it can flow slowly over long periods of time. The core is composed of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core, consisting mainly of iron and nickel.
