It is considered that the earth has three layers.
1. The outer most layer ...... CRUST
2.The layer below the Crust .... MANTLE
3. The Inner most part ..............CORE
CRUST:
Comparatively this is the thinner most layer of the earth. The thickness of crust varies from place to place and is thin under the ocean with an average thickness of 5 kms. Over the continent this layer is much thicker with an average of 35 kms.
This layer is made of rocks of different origin. On broader scale there are three different types of rocks found in the crust:
a. IGNEOUS
b. SEDIMENTARY
c. METAMORPHIC
IGNEOUS ROCKS:
Rocks that are formed due to cooling of molten earth material or magma are called igneous rocks.
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS:
Rocks on the earth surface undergo weathering and erosion, breaking them down into small pieces. These small broken rock fragments are called sediments and the rocks that are formed due to compaction of such eroded material are called sedimentary rocks. Such rocks are found in several layers.
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
When an existing rock is subjected to temperature and pressure, a metamorphic rock is created. Due to heat atoms are transferred from one crystal to another and larger crystal are formed within the same rock. Some times larger particles are forced to change their shape due to pressure and thus a new rock is formed.