Midterm 1-Rocks and Mineral Flashcards
Weathering Rinds
Rock shows outer weathered zone with successive “layers”of weathering.
Often in combination with chemical weathering.
Resistance to abrasion or scratching and is determined using the MOHs hardness scale
Hardness
Metamorphic rock formed at Low grade metamorphosed basalt-volcanics
From interaction with ocean water or other
fluids → leading to a green colour
Greenstones
Soil Creep
the slow mass wasting process of soil on a slope, under the influence of gravity
Rocky remnants left over from the early formation of our galaxy
Asteroids
Chemical Weathering
Breaks down rock components &
internal structures of minerals
Very coarse grained rocks, formed in the late stage of granitic magma crystallization
Pegmatitic texture
Large grains, surrounded by a finegrained matrix of other minerals similar to the porphyritic texture in igneous rocks
Porphyroblastic textures
Slump
A slump is a form of mass wasting that occurs when a coherent mass of loosely consolidated materials or a rock layer moves a short distance down a slope. Movement is characterized by sliding along a concave-upward or planar surface.
Spheroidal weathering
Rock corners are eroded more rapidly than sides more surface area at corners leading to circular rocks
How do we classify sedimentary rocks?
Shape-degree of roundness form angular,intermediate, to round
Sorting-Very poorly sorted,moderately sorted, and well sorted
Surface extrustions <100km2 and include xenoliths and chill zones
Stock
Fine grained texture, fast cooling(extrusive), microscopic crystals and vesicles from gas bubbles ex.basalt
Aphanitic
Unconsolidated (loose)
Material
Materials not held in place by an adhesive force, at an angle of 35 degrees or greater the face will begin to break apart
Nebular Hypothesis
Solar nebular gas contracted,cooled, and condensed into dust sized particles that aggregated together via collisions into the formation of protoplanets
Fossils
the traces/remains of prehistoric life preserved in rock
Magma intrusions
Volcanic neck,dike,sill,laccolith
Blocky clumpy lava with a liquid underside
Aa lava
Conglomerate
composed mostly of gravel with
rounded fragments but poorly sorted
deposited by strong, turbulent currents such as floods,rivers,steep streams, and glaciers
Fluids effect on metamorphism
Mainly in reference to water and other volitiles it helps to increase the breakdown of ions and facilitate the formation of new crystals coming from either pores in the strata or liquid containing minerals like clay or mica
Composite volcanoes
Larger classical volcano shape made of layers of lava flow and pyroclastic debris. They have large explosive eruptions and form andesite and daltic rocks
non ferromagnesian minerals, composed of Si,K,Na, and Ca
ex.quarts, feldspar,muscovite mica
Light igneous rock
Breccia
conglomerate with angular
grains and have not travelled very far! They can sometimes be confused for pyroclastic rocks
Ripple marks
small waves of sand that show the direction of the wind
symmetric (oscillation ripples), found in areas where the direction of motion changes
asymmetric (current ripples), found in areas where the direction of motion faces on way
Dissolution weathering
Dissolving minerals by a liquid agent such as water or acid ex. Halite dissolving into water
sand
Rocks which are and-sized sandstone and form the sedimentary rock sandstone
Colour of a mineral in powdered form, helps to differentiate between different forms of the same mineral as the streak is always the same
Streak
Earths layers based on composition
1)Crust 0-40km
2)Mantle 40-2900km
3)Outer core 2900-5200 km
4)Core 5200-6400km
Rock Avalanche
The very rapid downslope flowage of rock fragments, during which the fragments may become further broken or pulverized
Impressions of internal and external
surfaces are imprinted into stone and are filled with minerals
Cast and Mould
a depression created after a volcano partially collapses after releasing the majority of its magma chamber in an explosive eruption. typically >1km
Caldera
Rhylolite
Very viscous lava with high silica content, forming thick bulbous deposits
Stages of Coal formation
1)Accumulation of plant material (swamps)
2)Partial decomposition into
peat
3) Shallow burial forming lignite
4) Deeper burial forming
bituminous coal
5) Higher pressure and temp
forming anthracite
all chemical, physical, & biological changes that occur after deposition, but before metamorphism
Diagenesis
Unloading
exfoliation as sheets of igneous & metamorphic
rocks at the surface due to decrease in confining pressure
Sodium and Calcium feldspar, has thin lines along a cleavage face
Plagioclase feldspar
Metamorphic rocks
Rocks undergo enviromental changes(temp/pressure) in the solid form and change state
Regional:over large region from plates
Contact: small scale due to high temps
Main form of bonding in minerals, involves the transfer of electrons
Ionic bonding
Earths gravity captured a passing planetesimal that became our moon
Capture hypothesis
Aa lava
Blocky clumpy lava with a liquid underside
Largest intrusive body with a surface exposure >100km2 and typically act as mountain cores
Batholitihs
Pyroclastic texture
Similar to sedimentary rock, these are rocks that are ejected during eruptions
Sedimentary cycle
1)Decomposition
2)Erosion
3)Transportation
4)Deposition
5)Compaction
Pahoehoe lava
Ropy textured lava with moving inside, lower in viscosity than Aa
Formed via solidification from a very hot liquid which can be either
Intrusive:Fine grained or glassy
Extrusive:Large crystals
Igneous Rocks
Oxidation weathering
Chemical reaction that causes
loss of electrons ex.oxygen (O) combines with Fe
to form haematite (Fe2O3)
Composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO3)
* formed by marine organisms coral reefs,
coquina (broken shells), & chalk
* Inorganic limestones: travertine and oolitic
limestone
Limestone
Least useful method of determining mineral, describes the wavelength of light reflected off the surface
Colour
Metamorphism along fault zones, high T and high P from friction of sliding plates. Pre‐existing minerals deform by ductile
flow, Can fracture rocks and form fault
breccias…or total pulverisation to
mylonites
Cataclastic metamorphism
Types of chemical weathering
1)Dissolution
2)Oxidation
3)Hydrolysis
Rock cycle
The loop that involves the process by which one rock turns into another
gravel
Rocks that are bigger than 2 mm and form the sedimentary rocks conglomerate or breccia
Tendency for a mineral to break along planes of weak bonds making flat and shiny surfaces
Cleavage
Type of sedimentary rock made of Buried & compacted plant material
Coal
Solid aggregate or mass of minerals
Rock
Valence electrons are free to migrate among atoms allowing for electrical conductivity of mineral
Metallic bonding
Most common. Occurs during
mountain building within cores of
mountains → high T and high P with a strong degree of foliation
Regional metamorphism
Evaporite
water evaporates and dissolved stuff
is deposited
Gneiss
The product of high‐grade metamorphism with a Medium‐ to coarse‐grained banded appearance. Often composed of white or
light‐coloured feldspar‐rich layers with bands of dark ferromagnesian minerals. Formed from granites OR a recrystallised schist
Consolidated Material
Rocks held together by some cohesive force like vegetation or clay that keeps the materials from breaking apart as easily
Fission Hypothesis
Centrifugal force associated with earths spin caused a bulge of material that separated from the earth
Chill zones
Fine grained igneous rocks neat contact with cold country rocks
disintegration resulting from plants (roots) &
animals
Biological activity weathering
repeated freezing & thawing of water in
fractures & cracks leading to splitting of rocks occurs at Mountainous regions
with daily freeze/thaw cycles
Frost wedging
Changes in mineral assemblages due to changes in T and P over a limited range
Metamorphic Facies
Fossil types
Body fossils-preserve evidence of the tissue and hard parts of an organism
Trace fossils – preserve evidence of an organism’s activity (tracks and burrows)
Schist
Medium‐ to coarse‐grained metamorphic rock where platy minerals predominate,
e.g. the micas
Frost wedging
repeated freezing & thawing of water in
fractures & cracks leading to splitting of rocks occurs at Mountainous regions
with daily freeze/thaw cycles
silt & clay-sized particles (mud, clay, silt):
particles are too small to identify by eye
over 1/2 of all sedimentary rocks
deposited in quiet (slow moving) water
* deep ocean & continental slope, lakes, floodplains
Siltstone & Shale
A nonfoliated metamorphic rock that is formed from limestone or dolostone comprised of clacite or dolomite crystals
Marble
Rocks held together by some cohesive force like vegetation or clay that keeps the materials from breaking apart as easily
Consolidated Material
Metallic bonding
Valence electrons are free to migrate among atoms allowing for electrical conductivity of mineral
Specifications to be considered a mineral
1)Naturally occurring
2)solid
3)ordered internal structure
4)Definite chemical composition
5)Usually inorganic
Vent
Opening that is connected to magma chamber via a pipe
Detrital sedimentary rocks
created from weathered and eroded fragments of pre-existing rock that have been transported and cemented together
The reaction of any substance with water ex.Granite (mainly quartz + K feldspar) + carbonic acid (H2O + CO2)forms Kaolinite, Free potassium, and loose quartz
Hydrolysis weathering
Raindrop Marks
impact of raindrops on soft mud and indicates sediment was exposed to the earths surface at one point
Very rapid cooling of molton rock ex. obsidian/pumice
Glassy
Debris / Mud flows
fluid movement of coarser material & rock
in mud matrix
Pre existing rocks are broken down and carried and deposited into new rocks
Sedimentary rocks
Examples of oxides
Hematite
Dissolving minerals by a liquid agent such as water or acid ex. Halite dissolving into water
Dissolution weathering
Very viscous lava with high silica content, forming thick bulbous deposits
Rhylolite
Blocks vs Bombs
Blocks are fragments broken from solid rock, while bombs are molten when ejected
Rock corners are eroded more rapidly than sides more surface area at corners leading to circular rocks
Spheroidal weathering
Trigger mechanisms of slope collapse
Removal of Vegetation, Earthquakes, Liquefaction, Dams,Road cuts
water heated by subsurface magma but run out of the ground instead of erupt
Thermal springs
Colour
Least useful method of determining mineral, describes the wavelength of light reflected off the surface
derived from material carried in solution to lakes/seas and precipitation from solution to form “chemical sediments through organic or inorganic means
Chemical Sedimentary Rocks
Chemical reaction that causes
loss of electrons ex.oxygen (O) combines with Fe
to form haematite (Fe2O3)
Oxidation weathering
Types of mechanical weathering
1)Frost wedging
2)Unloading
3)Thermal expansion
4)Biological activity
Gradation in degree of metamorphism between slate & schist it has a glossy sheen and wavy surfaces and is composed mainly of fine crystals of muscovite and/or chlorite
Phyllite
Holes in rock texture due to trapped gas
Vesicular texture
Dolostone
formed from limestone when Mg
replaces some Ca and is a type of chemical sedimentary rock
Frost line
Transition zone from terrestrial planets and gas giants, The frost line for the Solar System lies between Mars and Jupiter.
Sources of heat on earth
External-Solar radiation
Internal-Radioactive decay
Bowens reaction series
Ultramafic- Peridiot, Komatite, Olivine
Mafic-Pyroxene, Garbbo and Basalt, Calcium feldspar
Intermediate magma-Amphibole and Biotite mica, Diorite and Andesite, Sodium feldspar
Felsic-Quartz,Feldspar,Granite, Rhyolite
Erosion
the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as wind or water
Dome
form from the slow extrusion of highly-viscous silica lava. These lava’s are too thick to spread out into a lava flow. Most domes are small and many do not have a crater
Mechanical weathering
Physical forces break rock into smaller &
smaller pieces without changing mineral composition
Streak
Colour of a mineral in powdered form, helps to differentiate between different forms of the same mineral as the streak is always the same
Begins at around 100m and at a temp around 300c, a low temp and low pressure environment very little changes although the minerals might change
Burial metamorphism
The moon formed concurrently with the earth from a local cloud of gas and dust
Double planet hypothesis
Course grained texture, Formed from slow cooling (intrusive) with crystals large enough to see without a microscope ex.granite
Phaneritic texture
Marine-Ocean beds
Continental-mountains, lakes, rivers
Transition-beach, deltas
Sedimentary environment types
Broad and slightly dome shaped formed from continuous mild eruptions of large volumes of lava, form basalt and cover large areas
Shield volcanoes
Geological factors that affect weathering
Properties of the parent rock-Some minerals weather more readily than others and Fractured rocks more susceptible to weathering
Rainfall and temperature-Warm,wet climate speeds up chemical reactions
Cold, wet/dry climate favours physical weathering
Length of exposure, longer time exposed more weathering
Two or more minerals with the same chemical composition but different crystalline structures ex.Diamond and graphite
Polymorph
The ferromangesian rocks that contain Fe or Mg, include olivine,pyroxene,amphibole, and biotite mica
Dark igneous rock
A non foliated metamorphic rock formed from quartz‐rich sandstone where the quartz grains are recrystallised & fused together.
Made with Contact & regional metamorphism
Quartzite
Batholitihs
Largest intrusive body with a surface exposure >100km2 and typically act as mountain cores
Basalt
MOst abundant volcanic rock with an 80% Fe Mg composition, heat of 800-1000c
composed of sand grains and is the 2nd most abundant sedimentary rock deposited by moderate currents:
such as rivers & deltas, beaches, wind (sand dunes)
and is mostly composed of quartz
Sandstone
Classifications of mass wasting
1)Material type- Soil or bedrock
2)Motion type, Fall,slide, or flow
3)Rate- Fast or slow
Amphibolite
Medium to high-grade metamorphism
of mafic volcanics with Lots of amphiboles and plagioclase
Rocks that are bigger than 2 mm and form the sedimentary rocks conglomerate or breccia
gravel
Phreatic explosion
team-driven explosions that occur when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits
Igneous Rocks
Formed via solidification from a very hot liquid which can be either
Intrusive:Fine grained or glassy
Extrusive:Large crystals
Larger classical volcano shape made of layers of lava flow and pyroclastic debris. They have large explosive eruptions and form andesite and daltic rocks
Composite volcanoes
External expression of the ordered internal arrangement of atoms when there are no limitations to space
Crystal form
Movement of plates apart, ex.Midocean ridges
Divergent plates
Similar to sedimentary rock, these are rocks that are ejected during eruptions
Pyroclastic texture
Difference between quiet and explosive eruptions
Quiet will form mafic to intermediate rocks where as explosive form felsic rocks
addition or substitution of
original material by different mineral ex.petrified wood
Petrifaction / Replacement
Stages of bowens reaction series and examples
Ultramafic, peridiot
Mafic, basalt and gabbro
Intermediate, andesite and diortie
felsic, rhyolite,granite
Quartzite
A non foliated metamorphic rock formed from quartz‐rich sandstone where the quartz grains are recrystallised & fused together.
Made with Contact & regional metamorphism
Graded beds
Normally graded beds generally represent depositional environments which decrease in transport energy (rate of flow) as time passes, but these beds can also form during rapid depositional events. Coarse at the bottom and fine at the top
Example of a independent tetrahedron silicate
Olivine
– Individual tetrahedra
linked together by iron
and magnesium ions
– Forms small, rounded
crystals with no cleavage
Water content and mass wasting
Water increases the weight and decreases the
strength of the material in the slope. Adding pore pressure in the slope increases, and clay minerals become hydrated and expand. As well as dissolving cohesive minerals.
example of a 3d network silicate
Feldspar 3D framework of
tetrahedra exhibit 2
directions of perfect
cleavage at 90 degrees
Ionic bonding
Main form of bonding in minerals, involves the transfer of electrons
Type of minerals associated with different plate interaction zones
Spreading:basalt
Subduction:Felsics
Examples of carbonates
Calcite (calcium carbonate) & Dolomite (calcium magnesium
carbonate) Calcite reacts with acid where as dolomite needs to be powdered
exfoliation as sheets of igneous & metamorphic
rocks at the surface due to decrease in confining pressure
Unloading
Magma
Produced from partial melting of rocks in the crust and upper mantel
Metamorphisim that occurs at relatively low T (200‐320°C) and low P forming Lots of water containing minerals (e.g., clays, serpentine, chlorite)
Low‐grade metamorphism
Burial metamorphism
Begins at around 100m and at a temp around 300c, a low temp and low pressure environment very little changes although the minerals might change