The Earth’s Crust

Already known to us that the earth is composed of rocks and minerals, mainly of ore deposited on the surface of the earth. The earth’s composition is hard crust on the outside and a liquid core of molten rock on the inside. The crust is then populated with uncountable rocks and minerals of different size, color and texture, further study of these rocks and minerals needs powerful ore microscopes. The ground that we are on right now is just the earth’s crust and is considered to be a loose layer of soil on the top surface. The earth’s crust usually provides us some rock samples that can be viewed under ore microscopes. Next to the crust is the solid casing called the mantle and lastly the middle part called the core.

Rocks and stones are made of minerals, they can be found in mountains, riverbeds, volcanoes and even in canyons. Rocks are very interesting specimen to be viewed under ore microscopes. Another interesting thing to be discovered is the Mineral, rocks are composed of minerals and in order to view mineral thin sections, we need a powerful microscope. Minerals are classified into 8 distinct groups: The most common of this group is the native elements and the examples are copper, silver, gold, nickel, graphite and diamonds. The next classification mentioned is the Sulfide group; the examples given are sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, and pyrite. The next in line is the Halides group; which is composed of halite and fluorire. Corundum and hematite are the examples of Oxides and Hydroxides group. Nitrates, Carbonates and Borates group gives examples such as calcite, dolomite and malachite. For Sulfates, Chromates, Molybdates, Tugstates gave examples such as celestite, barite and gypsum. Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates have some examples like apatite and turquoise and lastly Silicates group have quartz, almandine garnet, topaz, jadeite, talc, biotite and mica. These mineral examples are clearly seen under ore microscopes.

Another work of wonder is the crystals, they are also considered minerals and they can freely grow in various shapes, the way they are meant to be. Most crystals can be dated back millions of years ago and most crystals are used as jewelry today.