An interactive diagram comparing continental crust and oceanic crust, highlighting their differences in thickness, density, and elevation.
Learn MotionWhy Oceans Don't Drain Into the Ground
Introduction: The Ocean Basin as a Container
Crustal Structure Comparison
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Now, let's examine the materials forming these basins. You can interact with this diagram to compare continental and oceanic crust. Click on each type to see their properties. Notice that oceanic crust is thinner and denser, sitting lower in the mantle. This density difference helps maintain the deep basin structure. Understanding these materials is crucial for later chapters where we discuss permeability and rock types.
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