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  • Understanding Earth's Crust: Composition, Types & Formation
    The Earth's crust is made up of various types of rocks, primarily:

    1. Igneous Rocks: Formed from the cooling and solidification of magma (molten rock) or lava.

    * Extrusive igneous rocks: Formed from lava that erupts on the surface, like basalt and rhyolite.

    * Intrusive igneous rocks: Formed from magma that cools beneath the surface, like granite and gabbro.

    2. Sedimentary Rocks: Formed from the accumulation and cementation of sediments, like sand, mud, and shells.

    * Clastic sedimentary rocks: Formed from fragments of other rocks, like sandstone and shale.

    * Chemical sedimentary rocks: Formed by precipitation of minerals from water, like limestone and rock salt.

    * Organic sedimentary rocks: Formed from the accumulation of organic matter, like coal and oil shale.

    3. Metamorphic Rocks: Formed when existing rocks are transformed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.

    * Foliated metamorphic rocks: Have a layered or banded appearance, like slate, schist, and gneiss.

    * Non-foliated metamorphic rocks: Lack a layered appearance, like marble and quartzite.

    The crust is also composed of various minerals, which are the building blocks of rocks. Some common minerals found in the crust include:

    * Quartz

    * Feldspar

    * Mica

    * Amphibole

    * Pyroxene

    The crust is divided into two main types:

    * Oceanic crust: Thinner and denser, primarily composed of basalt and gabbro.

    * Continental crust: Thicker and less dense, with a more diverse composition including granite, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks.

    It's important to note that the specific composition of the crust varies depending on its location and geological history.

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