Does Oceanic Crust Change into Continents?

When a supercontinent breaks itself apart, oceanic crust is at its oldest and hence most likely to form new continental crust after it subducts. As the individual continents reconverge, volcanic arcs (curved chains of volcanoes created near subduction zones) collide with continental platforms.

What does oceanic crust turn into?

This process occurs when oceanic crust is pushed back into the mantle at subduction zones. As old oceanic crust is subducted and melted into magma, new oceanic crust in the form of igneous rock is formed at mid-ocean ridges and volcanic hotspots.

Are continents older than oceanic crust?

Continental crust is almost always much older than oceanic crust. Because continental crust is rarely destroyed and recycled in the process of subduction, some sections of continental crust are nearly as old as the Earth itself.