Rocks Flashcards
How are igneous rocks formed
When magma of lava called down. Magma cooled down under the surface while lave cooled down on the surface of the earth
How are sedimentary rocks formed
When existing rocks, plant and animal life were worn down and compressed to form new rocks. This mainly happened under water
How are metamorphic rocks formed
When existing rocks are changed by great heat and//or pressure
What is granite
Igneous Coarse-grained White, grey, black When magma cooled beneath the earth Uses - building and kitchen work tops E.g. Wicklow mountains
What is basalt
Igneous Fine grained rocks Black or dark grey Lava cooled on the earth Small crystals were formed as it cooled down quickly Uses - buildings, roads E.g. Giants causeway
What is sandstone
Sedimentary
When sand was laid down in layers either in a desert or a sea
Sand was compressed and cemented into bad stone by pressure
Red, grey and brown
Uses - buildings,roads
E.g. Macgillycuddy’s Reeks
What is limestone
Sedimentary
When shells and fish bones were laid at the bottom of the sea
Pressure built up to form limestone
Uses- underlies 40% of Ireland, building and roads, cement
E.g.the buren
What is strata, joints and horizontal lines
Strata - rock
Joints - vertical line separating rocks
Horizontal bedding planes - horizontal lines separating rocks
What is marble
Metamorphic
When limestone was changed by a great deal of heat and pressure
Black coal, red sandstone
Uses - marble is used in sculptures,Kitchen work tops and headstones
E.g. Connemara marble
What is quartzite
Metamorphic When sandstone was changed by great heat and pressure Grey and white Uses - glass making and roads E.g. Mt errigal
What is slate
Metamorphic
Fine grained. When heat and pressure changes shale ( a mudstone). It can be split into thin slabs of slates
Uses - roofs
E.g. Kill aloe
