The 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) both A and B

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ocean floor is made up of mafic material, which is denser than the continental crust. As a result, when a tectonic plate made up of oceanic crust collides with a tectonic plate made up of continental crust, the heavier, denser oceanic crust subducts under the lighter, less dense continental crust.

The Ocean Floor Subducts Under Continents Because