Is Oceanic Crust Heavy or Light

The oceanic crust is much thinner, ranging from 5 to 10 km thick. The continental crust has an average density of 2.7 g/cm3 and is composed primarily of felsic rock. Felsic rock is rich in light elements such as silicon, aluminum, oxygen, sodium, and potassium.

Is oceanic crust lighter or heavier than continental?

Continental crust is broadly granitic in composition and, with a density of about 2.7 grams per cubic cm, is somewhat lighter than oceanic crust, which is basaltic (i.e., richer in iron and magnesium than granite) in composition and has a density of about 2.9 to 3 grams per cubic cm.

Is continental crust heavy?

Continental crust is also less dense than oceanic crust, though it is considerably thicker; mostly 35 to 40 km versus the average oceanic thickness of around 7-10 km. … About 40% of the Earth’s surface is now underlain by continental crust.