GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The vast majority of the minerals that make up the rocks of Earth’s crust are silicate minerals. These include minerals such as quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, olivine, and a great variety of clay minerals.

Detailed explanation-2: -These minerals include olivines, pyroxenes, amphiboles, and biotite. Silicate minerals make up 96% of Earth’s crust. Feldspars and quartz alone make up more than 50% of the crust. (left), muscovite mica (center), and orthoclase feldspar (right) are 3 of the 20 common rock-forming minerals.

Detailed explanation-3: -The two most common silicate minerals are quartz and feldspar. These minerals are found in a number of widely distributed igneous rocks such as granite. These minerals can be broken down physically to help produce soil.

Detailed explanation-4: -About 1, 000 silicate minerals are known. This makes silicates the largest mineral group. Silicate minerals make up over 90 percent of Earth’s crust!

Detailed explanation-5: -Common silicate minerals include quartz, feldspars, and ferromagnesian minerals, such as amphiboles, pyroxenes, and olivines. Silicate minerals make up 96% of Earth’s crust. Quartz and feldspars alone make up more than 50% of the crust.