Crust
The crust forms Earth's thin outer shell. This topic is part of Earth Science within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 38 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
Crust trivia questions
Earth's crust is its what layer?
Answer: Outermost solid layer
Bonus fact: The crust forms Earth's thin outer shell.
Which is generally thicker: continental crust or oceanic crust?
Answer: Continental crust
Bonus fact: Continental crust is typically much thicker.
What rock type makes up much of oceanic crust?
Answer: Basalt
Bonus fact: Oceanic crust is largely basaltic.
Aluminum is the most abundant what in Earth’s crust?
Answer: Metal
Bonus fact: By mass, aluminum is the most abundant metal in Earth’s crust.
What is the name of the reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that helps brown a loaf's crust during baking?
Answer: Maillard reaction
Bonus fact: The Maillard reaction produces many of the browned flavors and aromas found in baked and roasted foods.
What ingredient often forms the crust of an American cheesecake?
Answer: Crushed cookies or graham crackers
Bonus fact: Crumb crusts are common.
A traditional French baguette is known for a crisp crust and what interior?
Answer: Airy crumb
Bonus fact: Steam and fermentation help create an open crumb.
What process at mid-ocean ridges creates new oceanic crust?
Answer: Seafloor spreading
Bonus fact: Magma rises and solidifies at divergent boundaries.
Earth's mantle lies between the crust and what?
Answer: Core
Bonus fact: The mantle makes up most of Earth's volume.
Which type of crust is generally thicker, continental or oceanic?
Answer: Continental
Bonus fact: Continental crust can exceed 70 kilometers in thickness.
Oceanic crust is composed mainly of what rock?
Answer: Basalt
Bonus fact: Continental crust is generally more granitic.
What happens when dense oceanic crust meets lighter continental crust at many convergent boundaries?
Answer: Oceanic crust subducts
Bonus fact: The denser oceanic plate descends into the mantle.