Which crust is thicker and less dense, forming continents?

Which crust is thicker and less dense, forming continents?

• A. Continental crust
• B. Oceanic crust
• C. Core
• D. Mantle

Answer: (A)

Continental crust is the thicker, less dense layer that forms the landmasses we stand on. Its granitic makeup makes it lighter than the material beneath, so it floats higher on the mantle and creates the continents. In contrast, oceanic crust is thinner and more dense, which is why it forms the ocean floors instead of land. The core is Earth's center, and the mantle lies beneath the crust; neither is the light, thick crust that builds continents. So the feature described—thicker and less dense, forming continents—refers to continental crust.

Continental crust is the thicker, less dense layer that forms the landmasses we stand on. Its granitic makeup makes it lighter than the material beneath, so it floats higher on the mantle and creates the continents. In contrast, oceanic crust is thinner and more dense, which is why it forms the ocean floors instead of land. The core is Earth's center, and the mantle lies beneath the crust; neither is the light, thick crust that builds continents. So the feature described—thicker and less dense, forming continents—refers to continental crust.