Rocks Flashcards
What are the three types of rock?
Igneous. Sedimentary and metamorphic.
What four things vary the types of rock?
Mineral content, texture, hardness and colour.
What is an Igneous rock.
The recult of volcanic activity which cools down on the crust or in the crust.
What is a sedimentary rock?
Remains of rocks, animal or plant life cemented together on the sea beds.
What is a metamorphic rock?
Rocks that are igneous or sedimentary rocks changed by heat and pressure.
Name two Igneous Rocks.
Granite and Basalt
Name two sedimentary rocks
Limestone and sandstone
Name two metamorphic rocks
Marble and Quartzite
Describe Granite
It cools down slowly and large crystals allow it to form like Quartz becsuse of this you can find this in the mourne and wicklow mountains.
Describe Basalt.
Basalt is formed quickly and has little crystals in it is found in antrim-derry plateau and in the Giants Causeway there the lava cooled shrunk and cracked to make hexagonal shapes
Describe limestone.
Limestone has calcium carbonate, the rock is made of skeletons of tiny sea creatures, fish and shells and are compressed and cemented together this rock is permeable.
Describe sandstone
Sandstone is made by sand being blown by wind and being compressed in Munster mcgillicuddy’s reeks, comeragh and galtees are made of sandstone
Describe marble
Molten rock is forces into the body of limestone it causes heat and pressure which alters the make-up of limestone and makes marble it has crystals and pure marble is white its used for fireplaces, gravestones and ornaments you can find them in rathlin island connemara and Cork
Describe Quartzite
Quartzite is made from sandstone is changed by periods of folding the rock is hard so it is found on the cap of mountains like croagh patrick, errigal and the great sugar loaf
