ELIFE LESSON 3/ROCKS AND MINERALS

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Rocks

These are found in the lithosphere (lithos “stone”). Lithosphere is the rigid, rocky, outermost part of the Earth.

Igneous Rocks

A classification of rocks that is formed by cooling and crystallization of magma.

Igneous

A term coined from the Latin word “ignis”, meaning fire.

Intrusive

A type of Igneous Rocks that is formed from the solidification of magma below the surface and cools slowly.

Intrusive

Plutonic rocks.

Extrusive

A type of Igneous Rocks that is formed through a faster rate of solidification of lava above the surface of the Earth.

Extrusive

Volcanic rocks.

Felsic

Light-colored igneous rock (e.g. Granite and Pumice).

Mafic

Dark-colored igneous rock (e.g. Gabbro and Obsidian).

Sedimentary Rocks

A classification of rocks that is formed through compacting and cementing of sediments and minerals from solution in water.

Sediments

Accumulation of silt, sand, or other material.

Clastic

A type of Sedimentary Rock that is formed from mechanical weathering debris of rocks (e.g. Gravel, sand, silt, and shale).

Chemical

A type of Sedimentary Rock that is formed when dissolved materials precipitate from the solution (e.g. Limestone, rock gypsum, rock salt).

Organic

A type of Sedimentary Rock that is formed from the build-up of plant or animal debris (e.g. Coal, limestone that is created from shells and skeletons).

Metamorphic Rocks

A classification of rocks that are previously existing rocks that have been changed by heat, pressure, or hot solutions into a distinctly different rock.

Metamorphic

A term coined from the word “metamorphe,” means “to change into a different physical form.”

Contact Metamorphism

A type of Metamorphic Rocks that happens on layers of rocks having contact with heat.

Regional Metamorphism

A type of Metamorphic Rocks that happens over a large region of the crust where high temperature and pressure is present.

Contact Metamorphism

This is when a rock is converted to metamorphic if it is direct contact with the source of heat such as the formation of marble from limestone which is heated to high temperature.

Regional Metamorphism

Increase pressure and temperature is due to some processes known as plate tectonic and causes the formation of mountains.

Rock Cycle

This is a model that describes all the processes by which rocks are formed, modified, transported, decomposed, melted, and reformed.

Rock Cycle

These processes occur both on the Earth’s surface and underneath.