* Oceanic Crust: Primarily composed of basalt, a dark-colored, dense, and fine-grained igneous rock rich in magnesium and iron. These minerals give it a darker hue.
* Continental Crust: Mostly made up of granite, a lighter-colored, less dense, and coarser-grained igneous rock containing more silica and aluminum. This composition results in a lighter appearance.
Additionally:
* Oceanic crust is generally younger than continental crust and has been exposed to less weathering, preserving its darker original color.
* Continental crust is often weathered and eroded, exposing the lighter minerals within the granite.
Therefore, the difference in color is largely due to the fundamental composition of the two types of crust.
