How Many Minerals Are Found In Earths Crust?
A mineral is something that can be defined as an inorganic solid that occurs naturally and that possesses an orderly and systematic internal structure and a definite and specific chemical composition. Al though there are a total of ninety two elements that are fount naturally but only eight of these ninety eight are commonly found in the rocks which make up the crust of the Earth or the Earth’s outer layer called the crust. Together, these eight elements found in the crust of the earth make up more than ninety eight percent (98%( of the crust. These eight most common elements in Earth’s crust are listed as follows (by mass): 46.6 percent of Oxygen (O) 27.7% of Silica (Si) 8.1% of Aluminum (Al) 5.0% of Iron (Fe) 3.6% of Calcium (Ca) 2.8% of Sodium (Na) 2.6% of Potassium (K) 2.1% of Magnesium (Mg) Together, the two major elements, that are, oxygen and silicon make up the most part of the crust of the Earth crust. It includes the most commonly found mineral, called the silicate minerals.
