Sima (geology)

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In geology, sima (/ˈsaɪmə/) is an antiquated^[1] blended term for the lower layer of Earth's crust. This layer is made of rocks rich in magnesium silicate minerals. Typically, when the sima comes to the surface, it is basalt, so sometimes this layer is called the 'ocean layer' of the crust. The sima layer is also called the 'basal crust' or 'basal layer' because it is the lowest layer of the crust. Because the ocean floors are mainly sima, it is also sometimes called the 'oceanic crust'.

The name 'sima' was taken from the first two letters of silica and of magnesia.

Comparable is the term sial (another antiquated blended term),^[2] which is the name for the upper layer of Earth's crust (continental crust) , namely rocks rich in aluminium silicate minerals.