Earth Science (EARTH-1141) - Mining Vocab

Rock Cycle

conceptual model that shows the **origins** of the 3 basic rock types and the **processes** that link each group together

Igneous

rock type formed by the **crystallization of molten rock** either beneath or at the surface; solid mass of interlocking silicate minerals

crystallization

as magma cools, the elements stop their random motion and arrange into orderly crystalline structures and form a **solid mass of interlocking silicate minerals** to become igneous rock

slow crystallization

crystallization that happens deep **within the earth’s crust** from magma and results in **large crystals** in rocks that are easy to see i.e. granite

fast crystallization

crystallization that happens on the **earth’s surface from lava** and results in **small crystals** in rocks that are difficult to see i.e. basalt