An oceanic plate is a section of the Earth's lithosphere that lies beneath the oceans. These plates are primarily composed of basalt, a dense volcanic rock, and are generally thinner than continental plates. Oceanic plates are formed at mid-ocean ridges, where magma rises from the mantle and solidifies, creating new ocean floor. Oceanic plates play a crucial role in plate tectonics, the movement of the Earth's plates. They can interact with continental plates at convergent boundaries, leading to phenomena such as earthquakes and the formation of ocean trenches. The movement of oceanic plates also contributes to the recycling of materials in the Earth's crust.