The compositionally diverse, commonly thicker and more felsic crust of continental regions.
Horizontal contraction of continental crust, commonly accommodated by folding and thrust faults and contributing to tectonic thickening.
A long-lived stable part of a continent, commonly with a thick, depleted lithospheric mantle keel; that keel is distinct from the continental crust.
Increase in crust or lithosphere thickness through tectonic deformation, including crustal shortening and stacking by thrust faults.
A near-surface layer of sedimentary rocks over crystalline basement; its thickness can be zero and is not a fixed fraction of continental crust.
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Continental crust is a type of Earth's crust that makes up the continents and the shallow seabed around them. It is generally thicker, older, and less dense than oceanic crust, which makes up the ocean floors. Here are some key characteristics of continental crust: 1. **Composition**: Continental crust is primarily composed of granitic rocks, which are rich in silica and aluminum. This composition is contrasted with oceanic crust, which is primarily basaltic and richer in iron and magnesium.