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  • Continental vs. Oceanic Crust: Thickness & Composition Explained
    Continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust.

    * Continental crust is typically 30-70 kilometers (19-43 miles) thick. It is composed primarily of granite, a less dense rock.

    * Oceanic crust is much thinner, averaging around 7 kilometers (4 miles) thick. It is composed primarily of basalt, a denser rock.

    Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

    | Feature | Continental Crust | Oceanic Crust |

    |---|---|---|

    | Thickness | 30-70 km | 7 km |

    | Density | Less dense | More dense |

    | Composition | Granite | Basalt |

    | Age | Older | Younger |

    The thicker nature of continental crust is why continents rise above sea level. The less dense granite floats higher on the mantle than the denser basalt of the oceanic crust.

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