By weight:
* Oxygen (O): 46.6%
* Silicon (Si): 27.7%
* Aluminum (Al): 8.1%
* Iron (Fe): 5.0%
* Calcium (Ca): 3.6%
* Sodium (Na): 2.8%
* Potassium (K): 2.6%
* Magnesium (Mg): 2.1%
* Titanium (Ti): 0.4%
* Hydrogen (H): 0.1%
* Others: 0.6%
By volume:
* Oxygen (O): 93.8%
* Silicon (Si): 2.7%
* Aluminum (Al): 1.6%
* Iron (Fe): 1.3%
* Calcium (Ca): 0.7%
* Sodium (Na): 0.5%
* Potassium (K): 0.4%
* Magnesium (Mg): 0.4%
* Others: 0.6%
Key points to note:
* Oxygen is the most abundant element in the continental crust, followed by silicon. Together, they constitute over 70% of the crust's mass.
* The continental crust is primarily composed of silicate minerals. These are minerals that contain silicon and oxygen, such as quartz, feldspar, and mica.
* The composition of the continental crust can vary significantly depending on location. For example, granite rocks are more common in some areas while basalt rocks are more common in others.
* The continental crust is much thicker than the oceanic crust. It is also less dense and older.
These numbers represent the average composition and can fluctuate depending on the specific location and type of rock being analyzed.
