What is an oceanic plate?

An oceanic plate is a tectonic plate that primarily comprises the ocean floor, characterized by its dense basaltic composition. These plates are typically thinner than continental plates and are formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity. Oceanic plates are constantly moving due to convection currents in the underlying mantle, and they can interact with continental plates at convergent boundaries, leading to geological phenomena such as earthquakes and the formation of trenches.