Here's why:
* Abundance of Silicon and Oxygen: The Earth's crust is primarily composed of silicon and oxygen. These elements readily combine to form silicate minerals.
* Formation Conditions: Silicates are stable under the conditions prevalent in the Earth's crust, including temperatures and pressures.
* Weathering and Erosion: Silicate minerals are relatively resistant to weathering and erosion, which leads to their accumulation on the Earth's surface.
Non-silicate minerals are less common because:
* Less Abundant Elements: They are typically formed from elements that are less abundant in the Earth's crust.
* Specific Formation Conditions: Non-silicate minerals often form under specific conditions, like high temperatures or pressures, that are less common in the crust.
* More Susceptible to Weathering: Many non-silicate minerals are easily weathered and eroded.
Examples:
* Silicate Minerals: Quartz, feldspar, mica, olivine, pyroxene
* Non-Silicate Minerals: Calcite, halite, pyrite, magnetite
Conclusion: While non-silicate minerals are important and have specific uses, their overall abundance on Earth's surface and within the crust is significantly less than that of silicate minerals.