8 Minerals You’ll Find Almost Everywhere on Earth

Earth’s crust consists of countless minerals, but only a handful dominate its composition. These minerals are fundamental to the structure of rocks and influence everything from soil fertility to building materials. This article highlights eight of the most abundant minerals on our planet based on crustal abundance and prevalence across rock types.

1. Feldspar

Feldspar is a group of rock-forming aluminium tectosilicate minerals that includes both plagioclase (sodium-calcium rich) and alkali (potassium-sodium rich) varieties. It is the most abundant mineral group in the Earth’s crust, making up around 60 percent of the total crust by weight and about 41 percent of the continental crust. Feldspar forms from cooling magma and is found in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Its widespread presence underscores its importance in planetary geology.

2. Quartz

Quartz is a hard crystalline mineral composed of silicon dioxide. It accounts for around 12 percent of the lithosphere by weight, making it the second most abundant mineral group after feldspar. Quartz is durable, chemically resistant and common in sedimentary rocks, especially sandstones and granites. It is also a key component in many landscapes, especially those shaped by erosion.

3. Plagioclase

Within the feldspar group, plagioclase stands out as particularly abundant. It comprises about 39 to 40 percent of the Earth’s crust. Plagioclase is central to basaltic rocks that dominate the oceanic crust, making it essential for understanding crustal composition at a global scale.

4. Pyroxene

The pyroxene group consists of chain silicate minerals such as augite, enstatite, hedenbergite, and diopside. These minerals collectively make up approximately 11 percent of the Earth’s crust. Pyroxenes are commonly found in igneous rocks like basalt and gabbro, contributing significantly to the darker mineral content of these rocks.

5. Mica

Micas such as muscovite and biotite are sheet silicate minerals accounting for around 5 percent of the Earth’s crust. Typically found in metamorphic rocks like schist and gneiss, mica’s perfect cleavage allows it to split into thin, flexible sheets, making it useful in various industrial applications.

6. Amphibole

Amphibole minerals form a group of double-chain silicates that include hornblende. They are common rock components and contribute notably to the composition of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Amphiboles are integral to the formation of minerals in deep crust and influence rock structure and stability.

7. Calcite

Calcite is a carbonate mineral composed of calcium carbonate. It is a major constituent of sedimentary rocks such as limestone and marble and is prevalent across all rock types. Carbonates like calcite constitute a significant portion of the crust, alongside silicates. Its presence is particularly important in sedimentary environments and the global carbon cycle.

8. Other widespread contributors

Several less abundant but still notable minerals include dolomite, gypsum, halite and magnetite. Dolomite is another carbonate mineral, gypsum is a sulfate, halite is a salt, and magnetite is an iron oxide. These minerals occur in specific environments such as evaporite deposits or iron-rich formations. Though not as globally abundant as silicates and carbonates, they are significant regionally and economically.

The mineral makeup that shapes our planet

While the Earth hosts thousands of distinct minerals, only a select few dominate in abundance and influence. Feldspar and quartz lead the pack, with plagioclase, pyroxene, mica and amphibole shaping much of the crust beneath our feet. Meanwhile calcite and other minerals like dolomite and magnetite have major roles in sedimentary and ore-forming processes. These eight minerals together form the backbone of Earth’s crust and the geology we observe and use every day.