What does the crust of the Earth consist of?

The crust of the Earth consists mainly of solid rocks and minerals. This outermost layer of the Earth is relatively thin compared to the layers below it, such as the mantle and the core. The composition of the crust varies but is primarily made up of various types of rock, including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic types, which are formed from different geological processes. For instance, granite is a common type of igneous rock found in continental crust, while basalt is more prevalent in oceanic crust.

The solid nature of the crust is crucial because it supports life and houses all ecosystems on Earth. The minerals within the crust contribute to soil formation, essential for plant growth. Understanding the composition of the Earth's crust provides insights into geological processes, including plate tectonics, mountain building, and resource distribution.

Other options, such as liquid metals and gaseous compounds, describe states of matter that do not represent the Earth's crust. Softer materials like sediments are found in different contexts, like riverbeds or ocean floors, but they do not define the crust's primary composition. Thus, solid rocks and minerals most accurately describe this critical layer of the Earth.