oceanic lithosphere is much younger than continental lithosphere:
the oldest oceanic lithosphere is about 170 million years old while parts of the continental lithosphere are billions years old
THICKNESS
continental- 40km to perhaps 280 km
oceanic - 120km
DENSITY
Oceanic -2.9 grams per cubic centemeter
Continental-2.7grams per cubic centimeter
ROCK COMPOSITION
Oceanic-mafic crust and ultramafic mantle(perodotite)
Conrinental- to 20 to 35 mile layer of light granitic crust underlain by 60 to 80 mile layer of heavy mantle peridotite(an olivine-pyroxene rich rock figurr 5.1)
Answers & Comments
Answer:
RELATIVE AGES
oceanic lithosphere is much younger than continental lithosphere:
the oldest oceanic lithosphere is about 170 million years old while parts of the continental lithosphere are billions years old
THICKNESS
continental- 40km to perhaps 280 km
oceanic - 120km
DENSITY
Oceanic -2.9 grams per cubic centemeter
Continental-2.7grams per cubic centimeter
ROCK COMPOSITION
Oceanic-mafic crust and ultramafic mantle(perodotite)
Conrinental- to 20 to 35 mile layer of light granitic crust underlain by 60 to 80 mile layer of heavy mantle peridotite(an olivine-pyroxene rich rock figurr 5.1)