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The igneous rock underlying the deep ocean basins is basaltic, as its source material comes from the asthenosphere. Andesitic igneous rock is formed at colliding plate margins, where subducting oceanic crust is partially melted and undergoes differentiation as it rises through the continental crust. Granitic rock is less dense than oceanic crust and composes the continents.

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Q: Why are andesitic and granitic rocks confined to the continents and ocean margins but absent from deep ocean basins?
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Related questions

What kind of volcanoes are found along continental margins?

andesitic


Where is andesitic magma found?

Andesite can be found around volcanoes with magma of intermediate composition, usually near subduction zones.


Are all plate boundaries located along the margins of continents?

No. Many plate boundaries are on the seafloor far from continents and several are well within continents.


Active mountain belts are most likely to be found where?

Active mountain belts are most likely to be found along tectonic plate boundaries, particularly convergent boundaries where two plates collide. This collision forces the crust to buckle and fold, creating mountain ranges. Examples of active mountain belts include the Andes in South America and the Himalayas in Asia.


Why can paper cutouts of the continents including the continental margins be pieced together to form a single whole?

Paper cutouts of the continents can be pieced together to form a single whole is because the continents were at one point all connected, which was the super continent Pangaea.


Are the plate boundaries the same as the edges of continents?

No. Not all plate boundaries are at the edges of continents, nor do all edges of continents correspond with plate boundaries. Many plate boundaries are found in the middle of oceans, while the continent of Africa is being torn apart by a developing plate boundary. Some edges of continents, such as the west coast of South America are near plate boundaries. These are called active continental margins. Others, such as the east coast of North America, are nowhere near plate boundaries. These are called passive continental margins.


Are the edges of the continents the same as the boundaries of the plates?

No. Not all plate boundaries are at the edges of continents, nor do all edges of continents correspond with plate boundaries. Many plate boundaries are found in the middle of oceans, while the continent of Africa is being torn apart by a developing plate boundary. Some edges of continents, such as the west coast of South America are near plate boundaries. These are called active continental margins. Others, such as the east coast of North America, are nowhere near plate boundaries. These are called passive continental margins.


Are the edges of continents the same as the boundaries of plates?

No. Not all plate boundaries are at the edges of continents, nor do all edges of continents correspond with plate boundaries. Many plate boundaries are found in the middle of oceans, while the continent of Africa is being torn apart by a developing plate boundary. Some edges of continents, such as the west coast of South America are near plate boundaries. These are called active continental margins. Others, such as the east coast of North America, are nowhere near plate boundaries. These are called passive continental margins.


Are the edge of continents the same as the boundaries of plates?

No. Not all plate boundaries are at the edges of continents, nor do all edges of continents correspond with plate boundaries. Many plate boundaries are found in the middle of oceans, while the continent of Africa is being torn apart by a developing plate boundary. Some edges of continents, such as the west coast of South America are near plate boundaries. These are called active continental margins. Others, such as the east coast of North America, are nowhere near plate boundaries. These are called passive continental margins.


Are the edges of continents are the same as the boundaries of plates?

No. Not all plate boundaries are at the edges of continents, nor do all edges of continents correspond with plate boundaries. Many plate boundaries are found in the middle of oceans, while the continent of Africa is being torn apart by a developing plate boundary. Some edges of continents, such as the west coast of South America are near plate boundaries. These are called active continental margins. Others, such as the east coast of North America, are nowhere near plate boundaries. These are called passive continental margins.


Why does the oceanic crust move below continental crust?

The basaltic oceanic crust is more dense than the granitic continental crust. Therefore, when the two meet at plate margins, the oceanic crust usually subducts beneath the continental plate.


How are rocks near continents different from rocks found near centers of seafloor spreading?

Rocks near continents(on the margins of oceanic basins) are generally older and rocks near a center of sea floor spreading are younger