The Earth’s crust is divided into two main types: continental crust and oceanic crust.
1. Continental Crust: This type of crust forms the continents and is generally thicker than oceanic crust, with an average thickness of about 30 to 50 kilometers. It is composed primarily of granitic rocks, which are less dense than the rocks that make up the oceanic crust. Continental crust can support a wide variety of life and is where we find most of the Earth’s land features, such as mountains, valleys, and plateaus.
2. Oceanic Crust: In contrast, oceanic crust is found beneath the ocean floors and is much thinner, averaging around 5 to 10 kilometers in thickness. It is primarily composed of basaltic rocks, which are denser than the granitic rocks of the continental crust. Oceanic crust is constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges and destroyed at subduction zones, playing a crucial role in the geological processes of the Earth.
Understanding these two types of crust helps us learn more about plate tectonics, the formation of various landforms, and the distribution of natural resources on Earth.