Final answer:
The interlocking pieces of Earth's crust are known as tectonic plates, which are part of the lithosphere and move based on mantle convection. There are two types of crust: oceanic, primarily made of basalt, and continental, primarily composed of granite.
Step-by-step explanation:
The "giant jigsaw puzzle" of interlocking pieces that make up Earth's crust are referred to as tectonic plates. The concept of plate tectonics is a fundamental principle in geology which explains the movement and interaction of these plates. Earth's crust, along with the uppermost part of the mantle known as the lithosphere, is divided into about a dozen of these plates. They fit together tightly, each moving and shifting in response to the convective currents within the Earth's mantle beneath them. This dynamic process is responsible for many geological phenomena such as earthquakes, mountain building, and the formation of ocean basins.
The Earth's crust consists of two types: oceanic crust and continental crust. Oceanic crust, which makes up 55% of the Earth's surface, is primarily composed of a volcanic rock called basalt, while continental crust is composed largely of a rock known as granite. These different types of crust have their distinct physical and chemical properties, densities, and thicknesses which have been determined through geological studies.