What is the thickness of the crust?

The thickness of the crust varies depending on where you are on Earth.

Oceanic crust, which is found under the ocean floor, is generally thinner than continental crust. It has an average thickness of about 7-10 kilometers (4-6 miles).

Continental crust, which is found under land masses, is thicker and more variable in thickness. It ranges from about 20-70 kilometers (12-43 miles) in thickness, with an average thickness of around 30 kilometers (18 miles).

The thickest parts of the continental crust are located under mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas, where it can be up to 70 kilometers (43 miles) thick.

Overall, the crust makes up only a very small percentage of the Earth's volume, relative to the size of the entire planet.