SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 30

SSC GD Const 2025 (English) - 07 Feb 2025 - Shift 1 • General Awareness • Q30

The oceanic crust is mostly made up of different types of basalt which extends how many kilometres beneath the ocean floor?

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is Option 1 i.e. 5-10 km.

The oceanic crust is mainly composed of basalt, which is formed through volcanic activity along mid-ocean ridges. This basaltic layer generally extends about 5–10 kilometers beneath the ocean floor. It consists of three main layers: a top layer of volcanic lavas, a middle layer of sheeted dikes, and a lower layer of gabbro. The thickness of the crust is crucial in understanding seafloor spreading, tectonic plate movements, and the recycling of materials into the Earth’s mantle through subduction zones.