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  • Continental vs. Oceanic Crust: A Detailed Height & Composition Comparison
    Continental crust is significantly thicker than oceanic crust. Here's a breakdown of their differences in height:

    Continental Crust

    * Thickness: 35-70 km (22-43 miles)

    * Density: 2.7 g/cm³

    * Composition: Mostly granite, with significant amounts of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks

    * Age: Ranges from very old (billions of years) to relatively young

    Oceanic Crust

    * Thickness: 5-10 km (3-6 miles)

    * Density: 3.0 g/cm³

    * Composition: Primarily basalt and gabbro

    * Age: Relatively young, generally less than 200 million years old

    Why the difference in height?

    * Density: Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust due to its composition (basalt vs. granite). This means it sits lower in the mantle.

    * Thickness: Continental crust is thicker, meaning it "floats" higher on the mantle.

    How this affects the Earth's surface:

    * Mountains: Continental crust's thickness and buoyancy are responsible for the formation of high mountain ranges.

    * Ocean basins: The denser oceanic crust sits lower, forming the ocean basins.

    * Continental shelves: The shallower areas around continents are part of the continental crust that extends under the ocean.

    In summary: The difference in density and thickness between continental and oceanic crust leads to a significant height difference. This is a fundamental factor in shaping the Earth's surface.

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