Chapter 26, Problem 11RQ

To determine

The reason for the continental crust stands higher on the mantle than oceanic crust.

Answer to Problem 11RQ

The continental crust stands higher on the mantle than oceanic crust because density of the continental crust is less as compared to the oceanic crust.

Explanation of Solution

The reason behind continental crust stands higher on the mantle than oceanic crust is density difference. The continental crust is thicker, and its density is less. But the oceanic crust is thinner, and its density is more as compared to the continental crust.

So, by the phenomenon that the less density crust always comes upward, while high-density crust always goes towards the downward direction, it is clear that the continental crust stands higher on the mantle than oceanic crust.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the continental crust stands higher on the mantle than oceanic crust because density of the continental crust is less as compared to the oceanic crust.