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