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What's the difference between a micro continent and an island?

• ovis 14y ago
  A micro-continent is composed of continental crust (e.g. granite). The oceans are mostly underlain by basalts. Because the of the density difference between granite and basalt, continents tend to remain at the surface longer, which is why the age of the zircons implies a former continent. A micro continent may or may not form an island, which is just a bit of rock (continental or otherwise) that sticks up above the water.
  • masklinn 14y ago
    > A micro continent may or may not form an island, which is just a bit of rock (continental or otherwise) that sticks up above the water. Example: Zealandia, of which New Zealand is the main remnant