Final answer:
The continental crust consists primarily of granitic-type rocks and is less dense than the oceanic crust, causing it to rise higher on the mantle.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is composed of granitic-type rock and has a lower density than the oceanic crust. The continental crust is notably composed of various igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, with the average composition being similar to granite. Granitic rocks, characteristic of continental crust, are less dense than the mafic rocks you'd find in oceanic crust, which are predominantly basaltic.
This lower density allows continental crust to rise higher on the mantle compared to oceanic crust, which tends to form deep ocean basins that are filled with water, creating Earth's oceans. The continental crust is predominantly made up of a volcanic class of silicates called granite. Granite is less dense than the mafic rocks, such as basalt, that make up the oceanic crust. As a result, the continental crust has a lower density than the oceanic crust.