Minerals and Rocks Flashcards
a solid or aggregate of one or more minerals
rocks
naturally occurring, inorganic solids with definite chemical composition and crystalline structure
minerals
the study of minerals
mineralogy
rocks are technically classified into three types
igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary
two types of igneous rocks
intrusive and extrusive
also known as “plutonic rocks” and is formed from the slow cooling of magma beneath the Earth’s surface
intrusive igneous
these rocks develop large crystals; course-grained
intrusive igneous
also known as “volcanic rocks” and is formed from the rapid cooling of lava on the Earth’s surface
extrusive igneous
these rocks develop little to no crystals; fine-grained; glossy surface
extrusive igneous
coarse-grained (very rough), fine-grained (rough), and glassy (smooth)
texture
composition of igneous rocks
felsic, mafic, intermediate, ultramafic
is high in silica and has a light color
felsic
e.g. granite and rhyolite
felsic
low in silica and has a dark color
mafic
e.g. basalt and gabbro
mafic
is between felsic and mafic
intermediate
e.g. andesite and diorite
intermediate
very low in silica and very high in magnesium and iron
ultramafic
e.g. peridotite
ultramafic
uses for igneous rock
mining because igneous rocks contain precious minerals and metals; can be used for geothermal energy
rocks that are formed from the compaction and cementation of sediments, which are particles derived from the weathering and erosion of existing rocks
sedimentary rocks
formation of sedimentary rocks
weathering, erosion and transport, deposition, compaction and cementation
breakdown of rocks
weathering
the movement of sediments carried out by water, wind, or gravity
erosion and transport
accumulation of the sediments
deposition
the sediments are glued together over time
compaction and cementation
three types of sedimentary rocks
clastic, chemical, organic
formed from mechanical weathering debris
clastic sedimentary
e.g. conglomerate, sandstone, and shale
clastic sedimentary
formed from the precipitation of minerals from water
chemical sedimentary
e.g. limestone, halite, and gypsum
chemical sedimentary
formed from the accumulation of organic materials
organic sedimentary
e.g. coal and chalk
organic sedimentary
clastic, chemical, and organic
texture
composition of clastic sedimentary
types of minerals and rock particles
composition of chemical sedimentary
minerals deposited from a solution
composition of organic sedimentary
living matter
uses of sedimentary rock
foundation for construction and buildings; source of energy; chemical and industrial uses; agriculture
formed when existing rocks are subjected to heat and pressure
metamorphic rocks
formation of metamorphic rocks
heat, pressure, chemically active fluids
it raises the temperature of a rock forming crystals without it melting
heat
applies stress to rocks, leading to equal distribution of minerals
pressure
alters the composition of rocks promoting growth of new minerals
chemically active fluids
types of metamorphism
contact, regional
rocks are heated near magma or lava; covers a small area; results in non-foliated rocks
contact metamorphism
rocks are pressed by direct pressure; covers a large area; results in foliated rocks
regional metamorphism
types of metamorphic rocks
foliated, non-foliated
formed from directed pressure; rocks form visible layers
foliated
e.g. slate, schist, and gneiss
foliated
formed from uniform pressure; rocks do not form layers
non-foliated
e.g. marble, quartzite, and anthracite
non-foliated
foliated and non-foliated
texture
determined by its mineral content
composition
uses of metamorphic rocks
construction and building materials; industrial applications; can be used as an energy resource; material for sculpting; used in chemical and industrial applications
explains the alteration of rocks over time through geological processes and explains the cycle of igneous to metamorphic and vice versa
the rock cycle
from igneous to sedimentary
igneous rocks undergo weathering and erosion where they are broken down into smaller particles. these particles get transported into an environment by wind, water, gravity. over time, the particles start to settle leading to compaction and cementation
from sedimentary to metamorphic
sedimentary rocks are buried far below the earth’s crust where the temperature is high. this subjects the rocks to pressure and heat up, causing them to recrystallize
from metamorphic to igneous
metamorphic rocks melt (magma) and cool down eventually over time
