Rocks Flashcards
Lithosphere
the outermost layer of the Earth, includes the crust and uppermost part of the mantle
Magma
Is liquid rock but underneath the Earth’s crust
Lava
Liquid rock but on the surface on the Earth’s crust
Native element
elements found uncombined in the Earth’s crust
Crystals
geometrically-shaped substance made up of atoms and molecules arranged in one of seven different shapes. The elements that make up a crystal and the conditions present during the crystal’s growth determine the arrangement of atoms and molecules and the shape of the crystals.
Mohs scale
a scale of hardness used in classifying minerals. It runs from 1 to 10 using a series of reference minerals, and a position on the scale depends on the ability to scratch minerals rated lower.
Igneous rock
rocks that form from the cooling of lava or magma as it is thrown through the air from a volcanic eruption
Extrusive igneous rock
rock that forms when lava cools above the Earth’s surface
Intrusive igneous rock
rock that forms when magma cools below the Earth’s surface
Batholith
intrusive rock mass that measures more than 100 kilometres across
Erosion
the process of eroding or being eroded by wind, water, or other natural agents.
Sediment
matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid
Floodplain
flat, open land beside a river where sediments are deposited during floods
Sedimentary rock
Rock that has formed through the deposition and solidification of sediment, especially sediment transported by water (rivers, lakes, and oceans), ice ( glaciers ), and wind. Sedimentary rocks are often deposited in layers, and frequently contain fossils. Note : Limestone and shale are common sedimentary rocks.
Coal
a combustible black or dark brown rock consisting mainly of carbonized plant matter, found mainly in underground deposits and widely used as fuel.
Limestone
a hard sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium carbonate or dolomite, used as building material and in the making of cement.
Conglomerate
a number of different things or parts that are put or grouped together to form a whole but remain distinct entities.
Metamorphic rock
A metamorphic rock is a type of rock which has been changed by extreme heat and pressure. Its name is from ‘morph’ (meaning form), and ‘meta’ (meaning change). The original rock gets heated (temperatures greater than 150 to 200 °C) and pressured (1500 bars). This causes profound physical and/or chemical change.
Rock cycle
an idealized cycle of processes undergone by rocks in the earth’s crust, involving igneous intrusion, uplift, erosion, transportation, deposition as sedimentary rock, metamorphism, remelting, and further igneous intrusion.
Mineral ore
An ore is a type of rock that contains sufficient minerals with important elements including metals that can be economically extracted from the rock. The ores are extracted from the earth through mining; they are then refined (often via smelting) to extract the valuable element, or elements.
Open- cut mining
Open-pit, open-cast or open cut mining is a surface mining technique of extracting rock or minerals from the earth by their removal from an open pit or borrow.
Underground mining
Underground hard rock mining refers to various underground mining techniques used to excavate hard minerals, mainly those containing metals such as ore containing gold, silver, iron, copper, zinc, nickel, tin and lead, but also involves using the same techniques for excavating ores of gems such as diamonds
Palaeontologists
A paleontologist is a scientist who studies fossils. If your basement is filled with fossils found while out on hikes, then you’re an amateur paleontologist. Paleontology breaks down to the Greek for “ancient” (paleo), “being” (onto-), and “study” (-logy). … Definitions of paleontologist
Fossil
the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock
Trace fossil
a fossil of a footprint, trail, burrow, or other trace of an animal rather than of the animal itself.
