Crustal for Dummies

Crustal is a word that is often used in the field of geology to describe something related to the Earth's crust. Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is the Earth's crust? Well, think of the Earth like an onion. Yes, an onion! Just like an onion has layers, the Earth also has layers. And the outermost layer of the Earth is called the crust.

Now, imagine that you are holding an orange in your hand. The tough outer skin of the orange, the part you can touch and feel, is like the crust of the Earth. It is the thinnest layer of the Earth and covers the entire planet. So, whenever we talk about something being "crustal," we are talking about something related to this outer layer of the Earth.

Now, let's delve deeper into the different meanings of "crustal." Apart from describing something related to the Earth's crust, "crustal" can also refer to any processes, events, or features that happen or exist in the crust. For example, if there is an earthquake, and it occurs within the Earth's crust, we can say it is a crustal earthquake. Or if there is a mountain range formed due to the movement and interaction of the Earth's crustal plates, we can call it a crustal mountain range.

So, to sum it up, "crustal" is a word that helps us understand and describe things that are related to the Earth's outermost layer, its crust. It can refer to features, events, or processes that occur within the crust or are influenced by it.