Chapter II: The Common Elements, Minerals, and

ROCKS OF THE EARTH AND THEIR ORIGINS 13

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF THE PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF THE
LITHOSPHERE 13

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF THE PRINCIPAL MINERALS OF THE
LITHOSPHERE 14

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF THE PRINCIPAL ROCKS OF THE LITHOSPHERE 16

WATER (HYDROSPHERE) 18

SOILS AND CLAYS 18

COMPARISON OF LISTS OF MOST ABUNDANT ROCKS AND MINERALS WITH
COMMERCIAL ROCKS AND MINERALS 18

THE ORIGIN OF COMMON ROCKS AND MINERALS 18
Igneous processes 19
Igneous after-effects 19
Weathering of igneous rocks and veins 20
Sedimentary processes 22
Weathering of sedimentary rocks 23
Consolidation, cementation, and other sub-surface
alterations of rocks 24
Cementation 24
Dynamic and contact metamorphism 25

THE METAMORPHIC CYCLE AS AN AID IN STUDYING MINERAL DEPOSITS 27