Rock Classification: Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Rocks

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the identification and categorization of igneous rocks, detrital sedimentary rocks, chemical sedimentary rocks, foliated metamorphic rocks, and non-foliated metamorphic rocks.

Igneous Rocks

A major category of rocks consisting of pumice, obsidian, scoria, rhyolite, granite, andesite, diorite, basalt, and gabbro, including porphyritic textures.

Porphyritic

An igneous rock texture specifically noted in rhyolite, andesite, and basalt.

Granite

An igneous rock grouped with rhyolite and diorite.

Obsidian

A glassy igneous rock listed in the igneous rock classification.

Pumice

A vesicular igneous rock categorized alongside rhyolite, obsidian, and scoria.

Scoria

An igneous rock listed alongside basalt, gabbro, and pumice.

Basalt

An igneous rock that occurs in standard and porphyritic forms, grouped with gabbro and scoria.

Andesite

An igneous rock that occurs in standard and porphyritic varieties, categorized with diorite.

Rhyolite

An igneous rock that occurs in both fine-grained and porphyritic forms, grouped with granite.

Diorite

An igneous rock categorized alongside andesite and granite.

Gabbro

An igneous rock grouped directly with basalt.

Detrital Sedimentary Rocks

A classification of sedimentary rocks composed of shale, sandstone, breccia, conglomerate, and siltstone.

Conglomerate

A detrital sedimentary rock described with the note: 'Looks like concrete.'

Shale

A detrital sedimentary rock listed alongside sandstone, siltstone, and breccia.

Sandstone

A detrital sedimentary rock grouped with shale, breccia, and conglomerate.

Breccia

A detrital sedimentary rock categorized alongside sandstone and conglomerate.

Siltstone

A detrital sedimentary rock listed among shale, sandstone, and conglomerate.

Chemical Sedimentary Rocks

A category of sedimentary rocks that includes flint, chalk, coal, rock salt, coquina limestone, fossiliferous limestone, rock gypsum, and chert.

Coquina Limestone

A chemical sedimentary rock type categorized alongside fossiliferous limestone.

Fossiliferous Limestone

A chemical sedimentary rock listed alongside coquina limestone, chalk, and chert.

Rock Salt

A chemical sedimentary rock listed alongside rock gypsum and limestone.

Rock Gypsum

A chemical sedimentary rock grouped alongside rock salt and chert.

Chert

A chemical sedimentary rock listed alongside flint, rock gypsum, and limestone.

Flint

A chemical sedimentary rock categorized with chalk, coal, and chert.

Chalk

A chemical sedimentary rock grouped alongside flint and limestone.

Foliated Metamorphic Rocks

A class of metamorphic rocks defined by layered or banded textures, consisting of slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.

Schist

A foliated metamorphic rock characterized by the note: 'Flaky stuff.'

Gneiss

A foliated metamorphic rock described with notes referencing 'nice' and having light banding.

Slate

A foliated metamorphic rock categorized alongside phyllite, schist, and gneiss.

Phyllite

A foliated metamorphic rock listed in progression between slate and schist.

Non-foliated Metamorphic Rocks

A class of metamorphic rocks without layered texture, consisting of marble and quartzite.

Marble

A non-foliated metamorphic rock associated with the reminder note: 'Remeber calcite make.'

Quartzite

A non-foliated metamorphic rock categorized alongside marble.