EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The chemical composition of oceanic crust results in a denser material when compared to continental crust. Oceanic crust has a density that ranges, but averages, at about 3 grams per cubic centimeter. Therefore, oceanic crust is subducted under continental crust at convergent boundaries.

Detailed explanation-2: -This happens at convergent boundaries, where plates move toward each other. Here, oceanic crust is destroyed, or rather, it gets recycled back into Earth’s depths. The places where oceanic crust is descending back into Earth’s interior are called subduction zones.

Detailed explanation-3: -When an oceanic plate converges with a continental plate, the oceanic crust will always subduct under the continental crust; this is because oceanic crust is naturally denser. Convergent boundaries are commonly associated with larger earthquakes and higher volcanic activity.

Detailed explanation-4: -As a crustal plate moves further from an oceanic ridge, it cools and becomes increasingly dense. This causes it to sink beneath the continental crust in a subduction zone. The weight of this sinking, cooling plate causes a major pulling action, which causes the rest of the plate to be pulled downwards as well.

Detailed explanation-5: -An oceanic plate will sink back into the mantle. Remember, oceanic plates are formed from mantle material at midocean ridges. Young oceanic lithosphere is hot and buoyant (low density) when it forms at a midocean ridge.