The portion of the Earth's crust that mainly contains granite, is less dense than oceanic crust, and is 20–50 km thick is called the ...

The portion of the Earth's crust that mainly contains granite, is less dense than oceanic crust, and is 20–50 km thick is called the ...

• A. Continental Crust
• B. Oceanic Crust
• C. Mantle
• D. Lithosphere

Answer: (A)

Continental crust. This portion of the crust is dominated by granitic rocks, which are light-colored, silica-rich, and less dense than the basalt that makes up oceanic crust. Its typical thickness, on the order of tens of kilometers, matches the 20–50 km range given. Because continental crust is less dense, it sits higher on the mantle compared to the more dense oceanic crust. While the lithosphere is the rigid shell that includes this crust and the upper mantle, the description specifically points to the granitic, less-dense, thicker crust that forms the continents.

Continental crust. This portion of the crust is dominated by granitic rocks, which are light-colored, silica-rich, and less dense than the basalt that makes up oceanic crust. Its typical thickness, on the order of tens of kilometers, matches the 20–50 km range given. Because continental crust is less dense, it sits higher on the mantle compared to the more dense oceanic crust. While the lithosphere is the rigid shell that includes this crust and the upper mantle, the description specifically points to the granitic, less-dense, thicker crust that forms the continents.