<p>It is well known that oceanic plates subduct under continental plates. This may be attributed to the plate's age and density, plus the water on top of it.<br>
So I was wondering if it is ever possible for a continental plate to subduct under an oceanic plate, perhaps if the oceanic plate is covered with shallow water? I've tried to search up on this question on many search engines and sites but to no avail. Thanks for your answer! </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-09T08:32:45.420Z
Water weight doesn't matter than much for subduction. The main effect is indirect by alteration of dense rocks like mantle rocks to less dense rocks such as serpentinites. In that case you can have mantle rocks being "obducted" as ophiolites.
Gimelist
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-11T19:20:57.863Z
But water can play a role in the pressure that has some effect on which plate subducts. Somebody answer plz!
Max0815
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-12T11:41:20.040Z
Yes, but if you're considering that addition of water to an oceanic plate makes it less dense by average, once you start subducting the continental plate then it becomes submerged as well, and by average loses density. Maybe [ophiolites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiolite) can be the thing you're looking for? It's the reverse, oceanic plates being "obducted" upwards. Also check the concept of [delamination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delamination_(geology)), which is the sinking of lower continental plates into the mantle.
Gimelist
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-12T21:06:19.250Z
No. I don't think its what I am actually looking for. So, hmm I think I can explain it in a different way, lets take a simple continental oceanic subduction zone as a scenario. So, now, lets "pause" time, and turn the continental plate into oceanic, vice versa. Will the subduction continue?
Max0815
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2019-03-13T18:48:57.410Z
Why did you get suspended?
Muze
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2019-03-13T18:50:36.723Z
This question makes me think of Europa.
Muze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-13T23:17:40.417Z
@Muze "voting irregularities"(i.e. creating a multi). I did it to answer my unanswered questions that I found the answer to, but apparently this wasn't allowed. Oh well :P.  I believe Europa is geologically active, so I assume I know why this question has a faint connection to Europa :) lol.
Max0815
<geology><plate-tectonics><subduction>
Is it ever possible for an continental plate to subduct under an oceanic plate?
Max0815
# Is it ever possible for an continental plate to subduct under an oceanic plate?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-11-09)

It is well known that oceanic plates subduct under continental plates. This may be attributed to the plate's age and density, plus the water on top of it.  
So I was wondering if it is ever possible for a continental plate to subduct under an oceanic plate, perhaps if the oceanic plate is covered with shallow water? I've tried to search up on this question on many search engines and sites but to no avail. Thanks for your answer!

**Tags:** geology, plate-tectonics, subduction

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Water weight doesn't matter than much for subduction. The main effect is indirect by alteration of dense rocks like mantle rocks to less dense rocks such as serpentinites. In that case you can have mantle rocks being "obducted" as ophiolites.  
> **username_0**: But water can play a role in the pressure that has some effect on which plate subducts. Somebody answer plz!  
> **username_1**: Yes, but if you're considering that addition of water to an oceanic plate makes it less dense by average, once you start subducting the continental plate then it becomes submerged as well, and by average loses density. Maybe [ophiolites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiolite) can be the thing you're looking for? It's the reverse, oceanic plates being "obducted" upwards. Also check the concept of [delamination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delamination_(geology)), which is the sinking of lower continental plates into the mantle.  
> **username_0**: No. I don't think its what I am actually looking for. So, hmm I think I can explain it in a different way, lets take a simple continental oceanic subduction zone as a scenario. So, now, lets "pause" time, and turn the continental plate into oceanic, vice versa. Will the subduction continue?  
> **username_2**: Why did you get suspended?  
> **username_2**: This question makes me think of Europa.  
> **username_0**: @username_2 "voting irregularities"(i.e. creating a multi). I did it to answer my unanswered questions that I found the answer to, but apparently this wasn't allowed. Oh well :P.  I believe Europa is geologically active, so I assume I know why this question has a faint connection to Europa :) lol.  

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