SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -Continental crust is mostly composed of different types of granites. Geologists often refer to the rocks of the continental crust as “sial.” Sial stands for silicate and aluminum, the most abundant minerals in continental crust.

Detailed explanation-2: -Granite, which makes up 70–80% of Earth’s crust, is an igneous rock formed of interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, mica, and other minerals in lesser quantities. Large masses of granite are a major ingredient of mountain ranges.

Detailed explanation-3: -Granites form a major part of the continental crust, forming small stocks and batholiths (large emplacements of igneous rocks), commonly found in mountain ranges such as the Himalayas where continental collision has taken place.

Detailed explanation-4: -There are two types of crust; oceanic and continental. Oceanic crust is denser and thinner and mainly composed of basalt. Continental crust is less dense, thicker, and mainly composed of granite. The mantle lies below the crust and is up to 2900 km thick.

Detailed explanation-5: -Continental crust is broadly granitic in composition and, with a density of about 2.7 grams per cubic cm, is somewhat lighter than oceanic crust, which is basaltic (i.e., richer in iron and magnesium than granite) in composition and has a density of about 2.9 to 3 grams per cubic cm.