Final answer:
Silicates are the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust and mantle, comprising about 90% of the crust and forming a wide array of rock and mineral types, including common minerals like quartz.
Step-by-step explanation:
Silicates are the most abundant class of minerals in the Earth's crust and mantle. With oxygen and silicon being the two most abundant elements in the Earth's crust, silicate minerals make up roughly 90% of the Earth's crust. These minerals are structured around the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron, a fundamental component that forms various mineral structures.
Furthermore, many essential metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium are found in silicate minerals. This indicates the overwhelming abundance and importance of silicates. Silicates also play a crucial role in forming rocks and soil which are vital for terrestrial ecosystems and human activities, emphasizing their prevalence.
Even the most common minerals in Earth's crust, such as quartz, are silicates. Given that the continental crust is significantly composed of silicon oxide, it is easy to see why silicate minerals are the primary category within the Earth's crust and mantle, extending beyond just the surface layers.