Consider the following statements: Oceanic crust is primarily composed...
- Statement 1 is correct: Oceanic crust is mainly basalt.
- Statement 2 is correct: Continental crust is mainly granite.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Oceanic crust is thinner than continental crust.
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Consider the following statements: Oceanic crust is primarily composed...
Explanation:
Oceanic crust and continental crust are two different types of crust that make up the Earth's outermost layer. Let's analyze each statement individually:
Statement 1: Oceanic crust is primarily composed of basalt.
- This statement is correct. Oceanic crust is indeed primarily composed of basalt, a dark volcanic rock that is rich in iron and magnesium.
Statement 2: Continental crust is primarily composed of granite.
- This statement is incorrect. While granite is a common rock type found in the continental crust, it is not the primary composition. Continental crust is made up of a variety of rocks, including granite, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks.
Statement 3: Oceanic crust is thicker than continental crust.
- This statement is also incorrect. In reality, oceanic crust is thinner and denser than continental crust. Oceanic crust is typically around 5-10 kilometers thick, while continental crust can be up to 70 kilometers thick.
Therefore, only the first statement is correct, making option 'B', "Only two," the correct answer.