OCEANIC CRUST Meaning and
Definition
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Oceanic crust is the outermost layer of Earth's lithosphere that lies beneath the oceans. It is primarily composed of basalt, a type of volcanic rock rich in dense minerals such as iron and magnesium. The oceanic crust is relatively thin compared to the continental crust and ranges in thickness from 5 to 10 kilometers.
The formation of oceanic crust occurs through a process called seafloor spreading, which takes place at mid-oceanic ridges. Magma rises from the Earth's mantle and fills the gap created by the divergence of tectonic plates. As the magma cools and solidifies, it forms new oceanic crust. This process continually repeats, causing the older crust to move away from the ridge, leading to the expansion of the ocean basins over time.
Oceanic crust is distinct from continental crust in terms of composition, age, and thickness. It is denser and younger than continental crust, with ages ranging from a few million years up to 200 million years old. It is also characterized by its high heat flow, a result of the ongoing volcanic activity associated with seafloor spreading.
Due to its lower density, oceanic crust is more prone to subduction, where it is forced beneath the less dense continental crust during the collision of tectonic plates. As it descends into the mantle, oceanic crust is subjected to intense heat, causing it to partially melt and contribute to the formation of volcanic arcs and island chains.
Common Misspellings for OCEANIC CRUST
- iceanic crust
- kceanic crust
- lceanic crust
- pceanic crust
- 0ceanic crust
- 9ceanic crust
- oxeanic crust
- oveanic crust
- ofeanic crust
- odeanic crust
- ocwanic crust
- ocsanic crust
- ocdanic crust
- ocranic crust
- oc4anic crust
- oc3anic crust
- oceznic crust
- ocesnic crust
- ocewnic crust
- oceqnic crust
Etymology of OCEANIC CRUST
The word "oceanic crust" is derived from the combination of two components: "oceanic" and "crust".
1. "Oceanic" originates from the Greek word "okeanos", which referred to the ancient Greek concept of a world-encircling river or a vast body of water. Over time, "okeanos" came to represent the open sea or any large body of saltwater. The English word "ocean" evolved from this Greek root.
2. "Crust" comes from the Latin word "crustāre", which means "to encrust" or "form a hard outer layer". The term "crust" refers to the Earth's outermost shell, composed of both oceanic and continental crust.
When combined, "oceanic crust" refers specifically to the part of Earth's crust that lies beneath the ocean basins.
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