The temperature of Earth’s oceanic crust varies significantly depending on its location and depth. Near the seafloor, the temperature is close to the surrounding seawater, typically ranging from 0°C to 4°C (32°F to 39°F). However, as you move deeper into the crust, the temperature rises due to geothermal heat from Earth’s interior. At the boundary between the oceanic crust and the upper mantle, known as the Moho, temperatures can reach 500°C to 1,000°C (932°F to 1,832°F). The rate of this temperature increase, called the geothermal gradient, depends on factors like crustal thickness and tectonic activity in the region.
