Here's why:
* Silicates: Silicate minerals are the most abundant mineral group on Earth, and they form the backbone of both crust types. They are compounds of silicon and oxygen, often combined with other elements like aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
* Oceanic Crust: Oceanic crust is primarily composed of basalt, a dark-colored igneous rock rich in silicate minerals like plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene.
* Continental Crust: Continental crust is more diverse in composition, but it also includes significant amounts of silicate minerals. Granite, a common type of continental rock, is rich in quartz (a silicate mineral) and feldspar.
While other materials exist in the crust, silicate minerals are the dominant component, forming the fundamental building blocks of both oceanic and continental crust.
