Here's why:
* Feldspar is a group of minerals, not just one: This group is incredibly diverse and widespread, making up about 60% of the Earth's crust.
* Quartz is abundant, but not the most: Quartz is the second most abundant mineral, making up about 12% of the Earth's crust. It's still very common, but less prevalent than feldspar.
So, why is feldspar so common?
* Formation: Feldspar is a primary mineral, meaning it forms directly from cooling magma and lava. This makes it a key component of igneous rocks, which are very abundant.
* Weathering: When igneous rocks weather, feldspar breaks down into clay minerals, which are also very abundant.
* Sedimentary rocks: Feldspar and clay minerals are also major components of sedimentary rocks, formed from the accumulation and cementation of weathered material.
While quartz is a fascinating and important mineral, feldspar's ubiquity in the Earth's crust makes it the champion of mineral abundance.
