Plate Tectonics

Compared to the oceanic crust, the continental crust is usually

thicker, with a less dense granitic composition

Where is the thickest part of the Earth's crust?

under continental mountain ranges

Which two Earth layers are separated by the Moho boundary?

crust and rigid mantle

The most abundant element in the Earth's crust is

oxygen

which mineral is most frequently found in both granitic continental crust and basaltic oceanic crust?

plagioclase feldspar

What is Earth's inferred interior pressure, in millions of atmospheres, at a depth of 3500 kilometers?

1.9

Which part of Earth's interior is inferred to have convection currents that cause tectonic plates to move?

asthenosphere

Active volcanoes are most abundant along the

edges of tectonic plates

When two tectonic plates collide, oceanic crust usually subducts beneath continental crust because oceanic crust is primarily composed of igneous rock that has

high density and is mafic

Earth's outer core is best inferred to be

liquid, with an average density of approximately 11 g/cm3