Layers of the Earth

Continental crust includes continental shelf – it is not just visible continent

Oceanic crust is the crust under the oceans

Continental vs. Oceanic crust Continental Crust Thicker Less dense Older Oceanic Crust Thinner Denser Younger Which type of crust will go under the other if the two meet? Continental or Oceanic?

Plate movement can cause:

Two continental plates collide Mountains (non volcanic) form as two plates move into each other

An oceanic and a continental plate collide Volcanic mountains can form as a result of the more dense oceanic crust subducting beneath the less dense continental crust.

Two plates slide past each other The friction of two plates moving past each other can create earthquakes

Plates move apart from each other Rift Valleys can form as two plates move away from each other Also, the Mid-Ocean Ridges

What causes plate movement? Convection Currents What are other examples of convection currents? Heat above a lamp Ocean water Hot summer day