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  • Continental Crust: The Rocks That Form Our Landmasses
    The continents are primarily made of igneous and metamorphic rocks, specifically:

    * Granite - a light-colored, coarse-grained igneous rock that is very common in continental crust.

    * Diorite - another igneous rock, similar to granite but with a slightly darker color.

    * Rhyolite - a fine-grained, volcanic igneous rock.

    * Gneiss - a metamorphic rock formed from granite or other igneous rocks under high pressure and temperature.

    * Schist - another metamorphic rock, often formed from shale or mudstone.

    These rocks are all felsic, meaning they are rich in silica (SiO2), potassium (K), and sodium (Na). This composition makes them relatively light and buoyant, which is why they form the continents.

    Sedimentary rocks also play a role in the formation of continents, but they are typically found on the surface, rather than in the deep crust. These rocks are formed from the accumulation of sediments, such as sand, clay, and organic matter.

    It's important to note that the continents are not just made of one type of rock. They are complex and varied, with different rock types found in different locations.

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