The Earth's crust is the outermost solid layer of our planet, primarily composed of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. It varies in thickness and composition between the continental crust, which is thicker and less dense, and the oceanic crust, which is thinner and denser.

Earth's Crust Composition

The Earth's crust is the outermost solid shell of our planet, composed of a variety of rocks and minerals, and is the thinnest of Earth's layers. It is divided into continental and oceanic types, with the former being thicker and less dense, while the latter is thinner and denser, playing a crucial role in tectonic activity and the formation of geological features.

Earth's Crust

Outermost solid layer

Composed of oxygen

Composed of silicon

Composed of aluminum

Composed of iron

Composed of calcium

Composed of sodium

Composed of potassium

Composed of magnesium

Thickness and composition

The continental crust is the thick, buoyant outer layer of the Earth's lithosphere that forms the continents and continental shelves. It is primarily composed of granitic rocks and is significantly thicker and less dense than oceanic crust, enabling it to float higher on the mantle.

Continental Crust

The oceanic crust is the outermost layer of Earth's lithosphere that forms the ocean basins, primarily composed of basaltic rock, which is denser and thinner than continental crust. It is continuously created at mid-ocean ridges and recycled back into the mantle at subduction zones, playing a crucial role in plate tectonics and the rock cycle.

Oceanic Crust

Thicker and less dense

Thinner and denser

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