Question

Compared to the thickness and density of the continental crust of South America, the oceanic crust of the Pacific floor is_____________.

Answer 1

Answer:

The pacific floor (oceanic crust) is thinner and more denser

Explanation:

The continental crust have a thickness of about 35 to 40 km on an average, and are composed of rocks that has less denser granitic minerals such as feldspar, quartz.

On the other hand, the oceanic crust have a thickness of about 7 to 10 km on an average, and it is comprised of denser mafic rocks that contains high amount of olivine and pyroxene minerals.

Due to this, the oceanic crust subducts below the continental crust during the time of collision.

Thus, the pacific floor (oceanic crust) is thinner and more denser, in comparison to the South American continental crust.