Rock Cycle/Rock Types

Rock

A mixture of minerals, rock fragments, volcanic glass, organic matter, and other natural materials

Mineral

A naturally occurring solid with a specific chemical composition and a definite crystalline structure.

Igneous Rock

A rock that forms when magma or lava cools

Magma

Melted rock material composed of common elements and fluids that is found below Earth's surface

Lava

Melted rock material composed of common elements and fluids that reaches Earth's surface

Metamorphic rocks

Rocks that have been altered due to changes in temperature and pressure or the presence of hot, watery fluids

Sediments

Loose materials such as rock fragments, mineral grains, and bits and pieces of shell that have been moved by wind, water, or ice

Sedimentary rocks

Rocks that form when sediments are pressed together by great pressure, or when minerals form in solution

Weathering

This process, which breaks down rocks into smaller pieces

Erosion

The movement of sediments from one location to another

Compaction

Pressure from all of the built up layers pushes down on the lower layers causing the small fragments to form solid rock

Cementation

The cementing together of sediments due to pressure.

Deposition

When pieces of rock are dropped and no longer moving.

extrusive igneous rocks

rocks that cool quickly on the surface of the earth

intrusive igneous rocks

rocks that cool slowly inside of the earth

Crystals

small, flat, shiny surfaces

Fossils

imprints of leaves, shells, insects, or other items in rock

Gas Bubbles

holes in the rock

Glassy Surface

shiny smooth surface

Ribbon-like Layers

straight or wavy stripes of different colors

Sand/Pebbles

individual stones/pebbles/sand visible in the rock

Characteristics of Metamorphic Rock

Crystals and Ribbon-like layers

Characteristics of Igneous Rock

Gas bubbles and Glassy surface

Characteristics of Sedimentary Rock

Fossils and Sand/Pebbles

Large Crystals

Slow cooling, intrusive igneous rock

Small/No Crystals

Fast cooling, extrusive igneous rock