Earth's crust

The Earth's crust is the thin, rocky layer that makes up the top part of our planet. It is where we live, grow food, and find many useful things. Even though it is very thin compared to the whole Earth, it is very important for all life.

The crust is part of a bigger layer called the lithosphere, which also includes some of the softer rock below it. This lithosphere is broken into big pieces called tectonic plates. These plates move very slowly, helping to carry heat from inside Earth out into space.

There are two main types of crust. The continental crust is thicker and makes up the land where we live. It is made of lighter rocks like granite. The oceanic crust is thinner and makes up the floor of the oceans. It is made of denser rocks like basalt. Both types of crust float on the softer rock below them, called the mantle.

Inside the crust, it gets hotter the deeper you go. This heat helps shape our planet's surface over many, many years. The crust is made mostly of elements like oxygen, silicon, and aluminum. These elements form the rocks and minerals we see all around us.