What is a characteristic of ocean crust?

Ocean crust is characterized by its high density, relatively young age, and thin profile compared to continental crust. The high density is primarily due to its composition, which is mostly basalt, a denser volcanic rock. This mineral composition contributes to the oceanic crust's ability to sit lower in the mantle than the less dense granitic rocks that mainly form the continental crust.

The relatively young age of ocean crust is a result of the process of seafloor spreading, where new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and gradually moves away from the ridge as tectonic plates shift. This process continuously renews the ocean crust, making it younger on average than continental crust, which can be billions of years old in some areas.

Additionally, ocean crust is generally thinner than continental crust, averaging about 5 to 10 kilometers in thickness, while continental crust can be up to 70 kilometers thick in some mountain ranges. This thin profile is a key factor in differentiating it from the more buoyant, thicker continental crust.