Is it ever possible for an continental plate to subduct under an oceanic plate?

Asked by: Richard Agosta

Is it possible for a continental plate to Subduct beneath an oceanic plate?

Neither continental crust
continental crust
In geology, the term sial refers to the composition of the upper layer of Earth’s crust, namely rocks rich in aluminium silicate minerals. It is sometimes equated with the continental crust because it is absent in the wide oceanic basins, but ‘sial’ is a geochemical term rather than a plate tectonic term.

will subduct underneath one another because of their similar densities. When two oceanic plates converge, the denser plate will end up sinking below the less dense plate, leading to the formation of an oceanic subduction zone.

Do continental plates ever get subducted?

Classic plate tectonics concepts suggested that continents do not subduct. Instead, when two continents collide at a convergent boundary
convergent boundary
A convergent boundary (also known as a destructive boundary) is an area on Earth where two or more lithospheric plates collide. One plate eventually slides beneath the other, a process known as subduction. The subduction zone can be defined by a plane where many earthquakes occur, called the Wadati–Benioff zone.

following the consumption of an ocean by subduction, they accommodate the shortening within the lithosphere, which is thickened up to twice the normal values.

Does continental crust Subduct underneath oceanic crust?

The oceanic crust is subducted under the continental as it is naturally denser than the continental crust. When a continental plate collides with an oceanic plate, the oceanic plate crust subducts beneath the continental crust due to its high density and its higher specific gravity, thus forming a subduction zone.

Why does the continental plate never Subduct?

Continental plates cannot subduct because the material of a continental plate is less dense than the mantle rocks underneath it, and so floats instead of sinks. May 6, 2015 – A subduction zone is the biggest crash scene on Earth. These boundaries mark the collision between two of the planet’s tectonic plates.

Can one tectonic plate be oceanic and continental at the same time?

Continental and oceanic crust
oceanic crust
The sima layer is also called the ‘basal crust’ or ‘basal layer’ because it is the lowest layer of the crust. Because the ocean floors are mainly sima, it is also sometimes called the ‘oceanic crust’.

can both be part of the same plate. For example, the North American plate has continental crust
continental crust
In geology, the term sial refers to the composition of the upper layer of Earth’s crust, namely rocks rich in aluminium silicate minerals. It is sometimes equated with the continental crust because it is absent in the wide oceanic basins, but ‘sial’ is a geochemical term rather than a plate tectonic term.

(essentially the land area of North America) at its core; this is surrounded on most sides by oceanic crust. A geographic “continent” does not equal a plate.

Can oceanic plate Subduct under oceanic plate?

When two oceanic plate
oceanic plate
The sima layer is also called the ‘basal crust’ or ‘basal layer’ because it is the lowest layer of the crust. Because the ocean floors are mainly sima, it is also sometimes called the ‘oceanic crust’.

s collide one oceanic plate is eventually subducted under the other. Where one plate slides under the other is referred to as the ‘subduction zone’. As the subducting plate descends into the mantle where it is being gradually heated a benioff zone is formed.

When an oceanic and a continental plate meet what is formed?

At a convergent plate boundary, when one plate is oceanic, there are large volcanoes. These volcanoes are found in lines that outline the subduction zone. Earthquakes also happen in these zones. Subduction of an oceanic plate beneath a continental plate forms a line of volcanoes known as a continental arc.

What happens when a continental crust collides with an oceanic crust?

When an ocean plate collides with another ocean plate or with a plate carrying continents, one plate will bend and slide under the other. This process is called subduction. A deep ocean trench forms at this subduction boundary.

Where is one plate being subducted under another?

Convergent Boundaries



At an ocean-ocean convergent boundary, one of the plates (oceanic crust and lithospheric mantle) is pushed, or subducted, under the other. Often it is the older and colder plate that is denser and subducts beneath the younger and hotter plate. There is commonly an ocean trench along the boundary.

Which is true about continental and oceanic crust?

Continental crust
Continental crust
In geology, the term sial refers to the composition of the upper layer of Earth’s crust, namely rocks rich in aluminium silicate minerals. It is sometimes equated with the continental crust because it is absent in the wide oceanic basins, but ‘sial’ is a geochemical term rather than a plate tectonic term.

is much thinner, averaging about 6 km (4 miles) in thickness. The effect of the different densities of lithospheric rock can be seen in the different average elevations of continental and oceanic crust.

Where is subduction most likely to occur?

Subduction zones are where the cold oceanic lithosphere
oceanic lithosphere
The sima layer is also called the ‘basal crust’ or ‘basal layer’ because it is the lowest layer of the crust. Because the ocean floors are mainly sima, it is also sometimes called the ‘oceanic crust’.

sinks back into the mantle and is recycled. They are found at convergent plate boundaries
convergent plate boundaries
A convergent boundary (also known as a destructive boundary) is an area on Earth where two or more lithospheric plates collide. One plate eventually slides beneath the other, a process known as subduction. The subduction zone can be defined by a plane where many earthquakes occur, called the Wadati–Benioff zone.

, where the oceanic lithosphere of one plate converges with the less dense lithosphere of another plate.

Why is there no oceanic continental divergence?

The oceanic plates are themselves formed from the divergent boundary, so probably not. Even if a new rifting
rifting
In geology, a rift is a linear zone where the lithosphere is being pulled apart and is an example of extensional tectonics.

occurred exactly at the boundary, the result would eventually be that the ocean floor surrounds the divergent boundary. A very simplified model of an ocean would have a divergent boundary in the middle.

Can a tectonic plate be made of both oceanic crust and continental crust?

Ocean Crust
Ocean Crust
The sima layer is also called the ‘basal crust’ or ‘basal layer’ because it is the lowest layer of the crust. Because the ocean floors are mainly sima, it is also sometimes called the ‘oceanic crust’.

and Continental Crust



Most tectonic plates are composed of both oceanic and continental crust. The Pacific Plate, however, is made up of mostly oceanic crust. Oceanic crust, which is basaltic, is thinner than continental crust. Continental crust, which granitic, is more buoyant than oceanic crust.

What is it called when two plates collide?

If two tectonic plates collide, they form a convergent plate boundary
convergent plate boundary
When two plates come together, it is known as a convergent boundary. The impact of the colliding plates can cause the edges of one or both plates to buckle up into a mountain ranges or one of the plates may bend down into a deep seafloor trench.

. Usually, one of the converging plates will move beneath the other, a process known as subduction.

When two tectonic plates collide the oceanic crust usually subducts beneath the continental crust because it is?

Oceanic crust
Oceanic crust
The sima layer is also called the ‘basal crust’ or ‘basal layer’ because it is the lowest layer of the crust. Because the ocean floors are mainly sima, it is also sometimes called the ‘oceanic crust’.

is typically denser than continental crust and is forced downwards into the hot mantle when it collides with continental crust. The less dense conitinental crust is forced upward. This occurred​ in Ireland with the closure of the Iapetus Ocean over 450 million years ago.

What is being formed when a continental plate Subducts to a continental plate?

If two tectonic plates collide, they form a convergent plate boundary
convergent plate boundary
When two plates come together, it is known as a convergent boundary. The impact of the colliding plates can cause the edges of one or both plates to buckle up into a mountain ranges or one of the plates may bend down into a deep seafloor trench.

. Usually, one of the converging plates will move beneath the other, a process known as subduction. Deep trenches are features often formed where tectonic plates are being subducted and earthquakes are common at subduction zones as well.

Why does the oceanic plate Subduct?

Because oceanic material is denser than continental lithosphere
continental lithosphere
In geology, the term sial refers to the composition of the upper layer of Earth’s crust, namely rocks rich in aluminium silicate minerals. It is sometimes equated with the continental crust because it is absent in the wide oceanic basins, but ‘sial’ is a geochemical term rather than a plate tectonic term.

, when the two collide at a subduction zone, the oceanic portion sinks into the mantle beneath the more buoyant continental lithosphere, according to NOAA (opens in new tab).

What is formed when oceanic plate submerges under continental plate?

Where the oceanic lithosphere
oceanic lithosphere
The sima layer is also called the ‘basal crust’ or ‘basal layer’ because it is the lowest layer of the crust. Because the ocean floors are mainly sima, it is also sometimes called the ‘oceanic crust’.

of a tectonic plate converges with the less dense lithosphere of a second plate, the heavier plate dives beneath the second plate and sinks into the mantle. A region where this process occurs is known as a subduction zone, and its surface expression is known as an arc-trench complex.

Is the oceanic plate denser than the continental?

Both oceanic crust
oceanic crust
The sima layer is also called the ‘basal crust’ or ‘basal layer’ because it is the lowest layer of the crust. Because the ocean floors are mainly sima, it is also sometimes called the ‘oceanic crust’.

and continental crust
continental crust
In geology, the term sial refers to the composition of the upper layer of Earth’s crust, namely rocks rich in aluminium silicate minerals. It is sometimes equated with the continental crust because it is absent in the wide oceanic basins, but ‘sial’ is a geochemical term rather than a plate tectonic term.

are less dense than the mantle, but oceanic crust is denser than continental crust. This is partly why the continents are at a higher elevation than the ocean floor.

What happens when oceanic and continental plates collide?

Plates Subduct When an ocean plate collides with another ocean plate or with a plate carrying continents, one plate will bend and slide under the other. This process is called subduction. A deep ocean trench forms at this subduction boundary.

Why is the oceanic plate denser than the continental plate?

As stated, oceanic plates are denser than continental ones. This is because they are made of denser rocks. Oceanic plates are typically composed of basalt. Basalts are mafic igneous rocks, which means they have a silica (quartz) content of less than 20% and are created by the cooling of lava.