Chapter 2: Rocks Flashcards
How are sedimentary rocks formed?
When the remains of other rocks or fossils were compressed
How are igneous rocks formed?
They formed when molten magma cooled and solidified
How are metamorphic rocks formed?
When igneous or sedimentary rocks were changed under great heat and pressure
Name 2 igneous rocks
Granite and Basalt
Name 2 sedimentary rocks
Limestone and sandstone
Name 2 metamorphic rocks
Marble and quartzite
Describe granite
When magma forced its way into the crust, cooled slowly, with large crystals made of Quartz, varies from black to grey to pink, is used in the building industry and for monuments, is found in the mourne and Wicklow mountains
Describe basalt
Formed when lava poured on the surface, cooled quickly with small crystals, varies from dark grey to black, is found in Antrim and Derry (at the Giants Causeway
Describe limestone
When the skeletons of tiny fish lay on the bottom of the sea and got compressed together, varies from white to grey, found in the Burren and the central plain of Ireland, is used as cement, and to improve soil fertility
Describe sandstone
Formed when large amounts of sand were transported by wind and rivers, layers built up and were compressed and cemented into sandstone, varies from brown to red, is found in the mountains of Munster, used as a building material
Describe marble
Formed when magma forces it’s way into limestone, can vary between white to red, green or black, is used for ornaments, counters and fireplaces, found in Connemara, Rathlin Island, and Cork
Describe quartzite
Formed when molten magma forced its way into sandstone, varies from grey to white, found in Croagh Patrick, The Great Sugarloaf and Errigal
What is drilling?
Where oil or natural gas is mined
What is open cast mining?
Cheap way of mining but can scar the landscape
What is shaft mining?
By constructing shafts to reach deep in the earths surface, it is more environmentally friendly but is more expensive
