Question Video: Describing Sima and Sial Layers in Earth’s Crust Geology

Video Transcript

Which of the following statements is correct about the continental crust and the oceanic crust? (A) The granitic layer of the crust, continental crust, is referred to as sima, while the basaltic layer of the crust, oceanic crust, is referred to as sila. (B) The granitic layer of the crust, continental crust, is referred to as sial, while the basaltic layer of the crust, oceanic crust, is referred to as sima. (C) The granitic layer of the crust, oceanic crust, is referred to as sial, while the basaltic layer of the crust, continental crust, is referred to as sima. (D) The basaltic layer of the crust, continental crust, is referred to as sial, while the granitic layer of the crust, oceanic crust, is referred to as sima. (E) The basaltic layer of the crust, continental crust, is referred to as sila, while the granitic layer of the crust, oceanic crust, is referred to as sima.

The crust is the outermost layer of Earth. It is split up into two types, continental crust and oceanic crust. Continental crust is the upper part of the crust that forms the continents, and oceanic crust is the lower part of the crust that forms beneath Earth′s oceans. Continental crust is older, thicker, and less dense than oceanic crust. It is predominately granitic and composed of rocks rich in silica and aluminum. As continental crust is rich in silica and aluminum, it is referred to as sial. Oceanic crust is generally basaltic and is composed of rocks rich in silica and magnesium. As oceanic crust is rich in silica and magnesium, it is referred to as sima.

So, the statement that is correct is the granitic layer of the crust, continental crust, is referred to as sial, while the basaltic layer of the crust, oceanic crust, is referred to as sima.