Ocean floor subducts under continents because
A)the ocean floor has a lower density and therefore sinks more easily.
B)the ocean floor is made of felsic minerals and is heavier than continental material.
C)the ocean floor is made of mafic material and is therefore more dense than continental material.
D)the weight of the continents is so great that they push the ocean floor material downward.
E)the weight of the water in the ocean pushes the floor downward and beneath the continental plate

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ocean floor is made of mafic material, specifically basalt, which is denser than the continental crust made of felsic material. As a result, when two plates collide, the denser oceanic plate subducts beneath the less dense continental plate. This process occurs at subduction zones where trenches and volcanic arcs are formed. Therefore, option C is the correct choice.

Ocean Floor Subducts Under Continents Because