The principally mafic compositional outer layer of an oceanic plate; it is only part of the thicker oceanic lithosphere.
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Oceanic crust is the part of Earth's lithosphere that underlies the oceans. It is primarily composed of basalt, a dense volcanic rock, and is generally thinner and younger than its continental counterpart. Key characteristics of oceanic crust include: 1. **Thickness**: Oceanic crust typically ranges from about 5 to 10 kilometers (3 to 6 miles) thick, making it thinner than continental crust, which can exceed 30 kilometers (19 miles) in thickness.