GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Oceanic crust is composed of mafic minerals that are rich in iron and magnesium due to which the density increases. This is because the eruption of basaltic magma occurs at the divergent plate boundary.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -Much of the oceanic crust is composed of mafic rock like basalt, troctolite, and gabbro. These rocks contain higher concentrations of iron, calcium, and magnesium when compared to rocks found in continental crust.

Detailed explanation-4: -Oceanic Crust Oceanic crust, extending 5-10 kilometers (3-6 kilometers) beneath the ocean floor, is mostly composed of different types of basalts. Geologists often refer to the rocks of the oceanic crust as “sima.” Sima stands for silicate and magnesium, the most abundant minerals in oceanic crust.

Detailed explanation-5: -The average density of oceanic crust is 3.0 g/cm3, while continental crust has an average of 2.7 g/cm3.