Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Question and Answer
Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Question and Answer : Understanding the differences between continental and oceanic crust is crucial to grasp the Earth’s geological structure. This article presents the top 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on “Continental vs Oceanic Crust,” covering aspects such as thickness, composition, density, formation processes, and tectonic behavior. Ideal for geography students and competitive exam aspirants, this quiz enhances your conceptual clarity in Physical Geography.
Those of you who are looking for Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Question and Answer, can read below.
Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Important Question and Answer
Top 50 Important MCQs on Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography:
- Which type of crust is thicker?
(A) Continental crust
(B) Oceanic crust
(C) Both are equal
(D) None of the above
Answer: (A) Continental crust
Solution: The continental crust is much thicker (up to 70 km) than oceanic crust (about 5–10 km). - Which type of crust is denser?
(A) Continental crust
(B) Oceanic crust
(C) Both are same
(D) Crust has no density
Answer: (B) Oceanic crust
Solution: Oceanic crust is composed mainly of basalt which is denser than the granitic rocks of continental crust. - What is the main rock type in the continental crust?
(A) Basalt
(B) Granite
(C) Gabbro
(D) Peridotite
Answer: (B) Granite
Solution: The continental crust is primarily made of granitic rocks which are lighter and less dense. - Which crust forms most of the ocean floor?
(A) Continental
(B) Oceanic
(C) Mixed
(D) Transitional
Answer: (B) Oceanic
Solution: The oceanic crust underlies the ocean basins and is mainly composed of basalt. - Which crust is older geologically?
(A) Oceanic
(B) Continental
(C) Both same
(D) Depends on the region
Answer: (B) Continental
Solution: Continental crust can be billions of years old, while oceanic crust is generally younger due to continuous recycling. - Which crust subducts during plate convergence?
(A) Continental
(B) Oceanic
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (B) Oceanic
Solution: Oceanic crust is denser and subducts beneath the lighter continental crust during convergence. - Which crust contains older rocks?
(A) Oceanic
(B) Continental
(C) Both same
(D) None
Answer: (B) Continental
Solution: Continental crust contains some of the oldest rocks on Earth, up to 4 billion years old. - Which type of crust is constantly recycled at subduction zones?
(A) Oceanic
(B) Continental
(C) Both
(D) None
Answer: (A) Oceanic
Solution: Oceanic crust is frequently recycled back into the mantle at subduction zones. - The average density of oceanic crust is approximately:
(A) 2.7 g/cm³
(B) 3.0 g/cm³
(C) 3.3 g/cm³
(D) 2.3 g/cm³
Answer: (C) 3.3 g/cm³
Solution: Oceanic crust, composed mainly of basalt, has a density of around 3.3 g/cm³. - The continental crust is composed mainly of:
(A) Mafic rocks
(B) Ultramafic rocks
(C) Felsic rocks
(D) Sedimentary rocks
Answer: (C) Felsic rocks
Solution: Continental crust is mainly felsic, such as granite, which is lighter in color and density. - Which of the following statements is true about oceanic crust?
(A) It is older than continental crust
(B) It is less dense than continental crust
(C) It is made mostly of granite
(D) It is thinner and denser
Answer: (D) It is thinner and denser
Solution: Oceanic crust is thinner and denser than continental crust and primarily composed of basalt. - Where is the new oceanic crust formed?
(A) Subduction zones
(B) Mid-ocean ridges
(C) Continents
(D) Mountains
Answer: (B) Mid-ocean ridges
Solution: New oceanic crust is continuously created at mid-ocean ridges due to seafloor spreading. - Continental crust is less dense because it contains more:
(A) Iron and magnesium
(B) Silica and aluminum
(C) Nickel and sulfur
(D) Carbon and oxygen
Answer: (B) Silica and aluminum
Solution: The felsic composition of continental crust includes more silica and aluminum, making it less dense. - Oceanic crust is destroyed primarily at:
(A) Transform boundaries
(B) Mid-ocean ridges
(C) Subduction zones
(D) Rift valleys
Answer: (C) Subduction zones
Solution: Oceanic crust is pushed beneath continental or other oceanic crust and melted at subduction zones. - Which crust is mostly above sea level?
(A) Oceanic crust
(B) Continental crust
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (B) Continental crust
Solution: Continental crust forms the continents and is mostly above sea level, unlike oceanic crust. - What is the average thickness of oceanic crust?
(A) 5–10 km
(B) 30–50 km
(C) 70–100 km
(D) 15–25 km
Answer: (A) 5–10 km
Solution: Oceanic crust is typically 5 to 10 kilometers thick, much thinner than continental crust. - What is the composition of oceanic crust?
(A) Granite and sandstone
(B) Basalt and gabbro
(C) Shale and limestone
(D) Quartz and feldspar
Answer: (B) Basalt and gabbro
Solution: Oceanic crust is primarily composed of dark, dense igneous rocks like basalt and gabbro. - Which crust covers more area on Earth’s surface?
(A) Continental
(B) Oceanic
(C) Both equally
(D) None
Answer: (B) Oceanic
Solution: Oceanic crust covers about 60% of the Earth’s surface. - Oceanic crust is mainly formed at:
(A) Subduction zones
(B) Mid-ocean ridges
(C) Mountain belts
(D) Rift valleys
Answer: (B) Mid-ocean ridges
Solution: Oceanic crust is generated at divergent boundaries where tectonic plates move apart. - Which process recycles oceanic crust?
(A) Folding
(B) Subduction
(C) Faulting
(D) Volcanism
Answer: (B) Subduction
Solution: In subduction, the denser oceanic plate sinks beneath a lighter plate, melting into the mantle. - Which crust supports large mountain ranges like the Himalayas?
(A) Oceanic
(B) Continental
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (B) Continental
Solution: Continental crust is thick enough to support the elevation and mass of mountain ranges. - The Mohorovičić discontinuity lies between:
(A) Core and mantle
(B) Mantle and crust
(C) Ocean and crust
(D) Lithosphere and asthenosphere
Answer: (B) Mantle and crust
Solution: The Moho is the boundary separating Earth’s crust from the underlying mantle. - What is the average thickness of continental crust?
(A) 5–10 km
(B) 20–30 km
(C) 30–50 km
(D) 70–100 km
Answer: (C) 30–50 km
Solution: Continental crust varies but generally ranges between 30–50 km in thickness. - Which crust is more buoyant?
(A) Oceanic
(B) Continental
(C) Both same
(D) None
Answer: (B) Continental
Solution: Due to its lower density, continental crust is more buoyant and “floats” higher on the mantle. - What rock is most commonly found in oceanic crust?
(A) Granite
(B) Basalt
(C) Diorite
(D) Rhyolite
Answer: (B) Basalt
Solution: Basalt, a dark volcanic rock, forms most of the oceanic crust. - Which crust is less affected by recycling processes like subduction?
(A) Oceanic crust
(B) Continental crust
(C) Both equally
(D) Neither
Answer: (B) Continental crust
Solution: Continental crust is rarely subducted and can survive for billions of years, unlike oceanic crust. - Oceanic crust is primarily created by:
(A) Subduction
(B) Seafloor spreading
(C) Erosion
(D) Folding
Answer: (B) Seafloor spreading
Solution: New oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges due to seafloor spreading. - What causes oceanic crust to sink during subduction?
(A) High temperature
(B) Low pressure
(C) Greater density
(D) Water presence
Answer: (C) Greater density
Solution: Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, making it sink during plate collisions. - Which crust is more prone to volcanic activity at plate boundaries?
(A) Continental
(B) Oceanic
(C) Both
(D) None
Answer: (C) Both
Solution: Volcanic activity can occur at boundaries involving both crust types, especially subduction zones. - Which type of crust is associated with deep ocean trenches?
(A) Continental crust
(B) Oceanic crust
(C) Lithosphere
(D) Mantle
Answer: (B) Oceanic crust
Solution: Oceanic crust subducting beneath another plate forms deep ocean trenches. - Which crust contains sialic minerals (rich in silicon and aluminum)?
(A) Oceanic
(B) Continental
(C) Both
(D) Mantle
Answer: (B) Continental
Solution: The continental crust is rich in sialic (Si + Al) minerals due to its felsic composition. - Which crust contributes to island arc formation when it subducts?
(A) Continental
(B) Oceanic
(C) Both
(D) None
Answer: (B) Oceanic
Solution: Subduction of oceanic crust leads to magma generation and the formation of volcanic island arcs. - Which type of crust is younger in geologic terms?
(A) Continental
(B) Oceanic
(C) Both same
(D) Depends on region
Answer: (B) Oceanic
Solution: Oceanic crust is constantly renewed at ridges and rarely older than 200 million years. - The oldest known rocks are found in:
(A) Oceanic crust
(B) Continental crust
(C) Upper mantle
(D) Mid-ocean ridges
Answer: (B) Continental crust
Solution: Some of Earth’s oldest rocks, over 4 billion years old, are found in continental shields. - Oceanic crust has a higher proportion of which elements?
(A) Silicon and aluminum
(B) Potassium and calcium
(C) Iron and magnesium
(D) Carbon and nitrogen
Answer: (C) Iron and magnesium
Solution: Oceanic crust is mafic and rich in iron and magnesium, making it denser. - What process leads to the creation of continental crust over time?
(A) Subduction
(B) Sedimentation
(C) Partial melting and differentiation
(D) Earthquakes
Answer: (C) Partial melting and differentiation
Solution: Continental crust forms through partial melting of mantle material and accumulation of lighter minerals. - Which of the following has the highest silica content?
(A) Oceanic crust
(B) Continental crust
(C) Mantle
(D) Inner core
Answer: (B) Continental crust
Solution: Continental crust is felsic and rich in silica compared to other Earth layers. - Which crust contributes to mountain building through collision?
(A) Oceanic
(B) Continental
(C) Both
(D) None
Answer: (B) Continental
Solution: When two continental plates collide, neither subducts easily, leading to mountain formation. - Why doesn’t continental crust subduct easily?
(A) It is thicker
(B) It is less dense
(C) It is more rigid
(D) It is made of sedimentary rocks
Answer: (B) It is less dense
Solution: Its lower density prevents it from sinking into the mantle like oceanic crust. - At convergent boundaries, which type of crust usually sinks?
(A) Continental
(B) Oceanic
(C) Both
(D) Depends on temperature
Answer: (B) Oceanic
Solution: Oceanic crust is denser and typically subducts under continental crust. - Which of the following is a feature of oceanic-continental convergence?
(A) Fold mountains
(B) Mid-ocean ridges
(C) Ocean trenches and volcanic arcs
(D) Rift valleys
Answer: (C) Ocean trenches and volcanic arcs
Solution: Subduction of oceanic crust beneath continental crust creates trenches and volcanic arcs. - What is isostasy?
(A) Volcanic eruption
(B) Earthquake balancing
(C) Gravitational equilibrium of crust floating on the mantle
(D) Plate movement
Answer: (C) Gravitational equilibrium of crust floating on the mantle
Solution: Isostasy explains how crust “floats” on the denser mantle based on its thickness and density. - The Andes Mountains are formed by:
(A) Divergent boundary
(B) Continental-continental collision
(C) Oceanic-continental convergence
(D) Transform faulting
Answer: (C) Oceanic-continental convergence
Solution: The Nazca Plate subducts beneath South America, forming the Andes. - Which oceanic plate is currently subducting beneath the South American plate?
(A) Pacific
(B) Nazca
(C) Caribbean
(D) Antarctic
Answer: (B) Nazca
Solution: The Nazca Plate is subducting under the South American Plate, creating volcanic activity. - The boundary between crust and mantle is called the:
(A) Gutenberg discontinuity
(B) Lehmann boundary
(C) Moho
(D) Lithosphere
Answer: (C) Moho
Solution: The Mohorovičić discontinuity (Moho) separates the crust from the mantle. - Oceanic crust mainly forms from magma that is:
(A) Felsic
(B) Mafic
(C) Ultramafic
(D) Intermediate
Answer: (B) Mafic
Solution: Oceanic crust originates from mafic magma, rich in iron and magnesium. - What is the average age of oceanic crust?
(A) 4 billion years
(B) 2 billion years
(C) Less than 200 million years
(D) Over 1 billion years
Answer: (C) Less than 200 million years
Solution: Oceanic crust is young due to its continuous recycling through seafloor spreading. - Which crust has greater elevation relative to sea level?
(A) Oceanic
(B) Continental
(C) Both
(D) None
Answer: (B) Continental
Solution: Due to its lower density, continental crust “floats” higher on the mantle. - Oceanic crust sinks under continental crust due to:
(A) Cooler temperature
(B) Higher density
(C) Pressure from waves
(D) Tectonic faults
Answer: (B) Higher density
Solution: Its greater density compared to continental crust causes it to subduct. - Which crust has higher seismic wave velocity?
(A) Continental
(B) Oceanic
(C) Both same
(D) Not measurable
Answer: (B) Oceanic
Solution: Denser basaltic oceanic crust allows seismic waves to travel faster than through granitic continental crust.
Geography MCQ Related Topics:
PDF File : Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography PDF Download
| File Name | Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography |
| PDF Link | Download PDF |
| WhatsApp Channel | Join Now |
| Telegram Channel | Join Now |
Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Question and Answer
Explore 50 important MCQs on Continental vs Oceanic Crust in Physical Geography. Learn key differences in structure, composition & formation with answers and explanations. Ideal for UPSC, SSC, and other competitive exams.
Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Question and Answer in English
Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Question and Answer. This Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ / Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography Quiz / Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography Question and Answer / Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Multiple Choice Question and Answer, Short Question and Answer, Suggestion, Notes are very important for school, college and various competitive or job exams and interviews.
Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Quiz
Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Quiz Question and Answer — perfect for students, competitive exam aspirants, and geography enthusiasts.
Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Question and Answer
If you benefit from this “Continental vs Oceanic Crust – Earth’s Structure | Physical Geography MCQ Question and Answer” post then our efforts will be successful. Also visit our MCQALL.COM website or follow us on various social networking sites (Telegram, WhatsApp Channel, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, Twitter or X) to know MCQ – Multiple Choice Question Quiz on various topics, questions and answers quiz from GK and Current Affairs. Thank you.
Tags: #PhysicalGeography #EarthStructure #GeographyMCQs #CrustMantleCore