The Rock Cycle Flashcards
What are the 3 types of rock?
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Name 3 examples of sedimentary rocks
Sandstone Limestone Shale Gypsum Dolomite
Name 3 examples of igneous rocks
Granite Basalt Obsidian Pumice Gabbro
Name 3 examples of metamorphic rocks
Slate
Marble
Quartzite
Serpentine
which type of rock is most likely to have crystals?
Igneous
which type of rock is LEAST likely to have fossils
Igneous
which type of rock is most likely to have fossils
Sedimentary
What are the 2 types of igneous formation?
Intrusive - magma cooling below the surface
Extrusive - magma cooling above the surface
will intrusive or extrusive formation of igneous rock cause the biggest crystals?
Intrusive - because the magma cools slower, has more time for crystals to form
What is clastic vs non-clastic formation of sedimentary rock?
Clastic = - Where rock is made of individual grains and pressure hardens them into rock
Non-clastic = chemical formation of rocks from dissolution of calcium shells that are compacted by temperature and pressure
What type of rocks are found in the burgess shale?
Sedimentary - compact silt and clay
What are strata?
Layers of sedimentary rock
How are metamorphic rocks formed?
When sedimentary OR igneous rocks undergo intense heat and pressure under the Earth’s surface, they are transformed into metamorphic
What are the two types of metamorphic rocks
Foliated
Non-foliated
what are foliated metamorphic rocks?
Created by alteration of shale low grade regional metamorphism
They have a layered appearance
What are non-foliated metamorphic rocks
Metamorphic rocks created when subjected to heat and pressure - i.e: convergent plates
Have no layers/ bands in appearance
what are the 3 steps happening in the rock cycles?
Rocks are broken down by weathering to form sediment = sedimentary rocks
Rocks are melted, forming magma that cools = igneous rock
Rocks are transformed under extreme heat and pressure = metamorphic rocks
What is weathering?
the breakdown in situ of rock material, under the influence of low pressure, low temperatures and the presence of air and water
- the chemical, biological AND physical breakdown of rock
Which type of weathering is freeze-thawing?
Physical
What is exfoliation/ onion skin weathering
when outer layers of rock cools and contracts more rapidly than at depth - causes concentric fractures so rock ‘peels’ off like an onion
Where is onion skin weathering most likely to happen?
Areas with large daily fluctuations in temperature
Which type of weathering is acid rain?
Chemical
What causes acid rain?
Pollution of carbonic and sulphuric acid
How does acid rain decompose bedrock?
carbonic and sulphuric acid in rain water reacts with mineral in rocks
Forms clays and soluble salts
Rocks decompose
Which type of rock is unreactive to acid rain?
Quartz
How does rust form?
iron reacts with oxygen to form iron oxide
What type of weathering do tree roots cause?
Biological
How do tree roots weather rocks?
As roots grow to find water, they pry apart rocks
Can also contribute to organic acids
