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Which has thicker crust?

Published in Earth's Crust 1 min read

The continental crust has a thicker crust than the oceanic crust.

Crustal Thickness Comparison

Crust Type Thickness (km) Density (g/cm³)
Continental Crust 30 - 70 2.6 - 2.7
Oceanic Crust 6 - 12 2.8 - 3.0

As detailed in the reference, global observations show that crustal thickness varies across different tectonic regions. Here's a breakdown:

  • Continental Crust: The continental crust is significantly thicker, ranging from 30 to 70 kilometers.
  • Oceanic Crust: In contrast, the oceanic crust is much thinner, with a thickness of only 6 to 12 kilometers.

This information clearly demonstrates that the continental crust is substantially thicker than the oceanic crust. In addition to the thickness difference, they also differ in density. The oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust.

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