The Earth Contents

1. Structure

Although small relative to the spherical mass of the Earth as a whole, the crust is a crucial resource base for civilisation

The crust constitutes less than 1% of the Earth's volume. It is a vital source of virtually all the metals, non-metallic minerals, rocks and fuels on which civilisations now depend. Geological processes have concentrated these resources in specific areas of the upper crust, where they may be extracted.

Extraction of minerals from the crust.

Why is the Earth's crust crucial for civilisation?