A silicate tetrahedron is a fundamental building block of silicate minerals, consisting of a central silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms. The arrangement forms a tetrahedral shape, where the silicon atom is at the center and the oxygen atoms are at the corners. This structure allows for various configurations and connections with other tetrahedra, leading to the diversity of silicate minerals found in the Earth's crust. Silicate tetrahedra can link together in different ways, forming chains, sheets, or three-dimensional frameworks. This versatility is crucial in the formation of many common minerals, such as quartz and feldspar, which are essential components of rocks like granite and basalt.