geology is soooo cool

What is differential stress in metamorphism?   

Uneven pressure put on a rock that changes the the shape and size of the minerals within the rock 

Define a mineral, define a rock and what is the relation between the two, which one is the building block of the other? 

Mineral -Nonliving naturally occurring material with a chemical composition and crystalline structure (atoms in a pattern),

2) rocks- aggregate, naturally occurring solid mass made of 1 or more minerals  

3)minerals make rocks 

4) minerals = building block   

what is mineral cleavage? 

Cleavage is how a mineral naturally breaks along smooth, flat surfaces. weak atomic structure

What is Moh’s hardness scale, which is the hardest mineral, and which is the softest? 

Mohs hardness scale = ranking of minerals hardness 1-10 ,1(softest) , 10(hardest) based on ability to scratch one another  

Diamond =hardest /tac = softest  

Why do we apply dilute HCl on a rock or mineral, what do we conclude if we see effervesence? 

We apply dilute HCl to check for carbonate minerals. If effervescence occurs, it indicates the presence of carbonates as the acid reacts to release carbon dioxide gas. 

For silicate differentiate isolated tetrahedral, single chain silicates, double chained silicate, two dimensional and framework silicates? 

1. Tetrahedral = don't share oxygen  

2. Single chain silicates = share 2 oxygen  

3. Double chain silicates = share 2-3 oxygen  

4. Two dimensional (sheet) = shares 3 oxygen  

5. Framework silicates = shares all 4 oxygen  

Define metamorphism?  What are the four factors critical in metamorphism? 

1) Change in texture and minerology

2) heat, pressure, time, chemically active fluids 

What is a protolith? How does it become a metamorphic rock? 

A protolith is the parent rock.

It becomes a metamorphic rock through heat, pressure, and fluids  

What is the similarity and difference between a diamond and graphite? 

Both are pure carbon, but their atomic structures are different

Diamond has a strong 3D tetrahedral structure, while graphite has weakly bonded flat layers.

Are granite, diorite and gabbro COARSE or FINE texture? 

coarse texture (intrusive). 

Are rhyolite, andesite and basalt COARSE or FINE texture?

fine texture (extrusive).

What is the relation between DIORITE and ANDESITE?

share the same mineral composition but differ in texture,

Diorite is below ground, andesite is above ground. 

If you have a 2 stage cooling of magma you get a PORPHYRY, define the visible appearance of a porphyry. 

Large crystals scattered in a fine-grained intrusive rock salt and pepper look  

What is the difference between magma and lava? 

Magma= moltenn rock below earths surface 

Lava= magma that reaches the surface   

Explain the volcanic origin of the island of Hawaii, what is it main rock composition? 

Hawaii = island formed from hotspot volcanoes built by lava, shield volcanoes, main rock = basalt (mafic). 

Are the sandstone rocks in UTAH sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic? 

Utah’s sandstone rocks = sedimentary. 

What foliation structure are associated with SLATE, SCHIST and GNEISS? 

• Slate → Slaty cleavage . 

• Schist → Schistosity

• Gneiss → Gneissic banding \

What are the definitive properties of minerals? (Name at least 5) 

• Naturally occurring 

• Inorganic 

• Solid . 

• chemical composition 

• Crystaline structure

What is the difference between plutonic and volcanic rocks, what is the difference in their texture generally? 

Plutonic = underground, coarse texture 

Volcanic = surface, fine texture 

Which is the most widely distributed igneous rock on the sea floor (say in Hawaii) 

Sea floor rock (Hawaii) = basalt. 

what is a crystal

1)A crystal is a solid material in which atoms and ions are neatly arranged in a repeating three-dimensional pattern

What is the major texture difference between EXTRUSIVE and INTRUSIVE igneous rocks? 

Intrusive = coarse texture,

extrusive = fine texture. 

How do you explain the difference in grain size (coarse or fine) between extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks 

Slow cooling = coarse texture  (intrusive) 

 fast cooling = fine texture (extrusive). 

Are mafic rocks dark colored or light colored 

(dark) 

Are felsic rocks dark colored or light colored 

light colored

Which are rich in Silica, mafic or felsic rocks? 

Felsic 

Are felsic rocks associated with explosive eruptions?

Yes Felsic = explosive eruptions, . 

Which are associated with non-explosive lava flows, felsic or mafic rocks? 

Yes Mafic = gentle flows, 

Which are the main types of rocks emanating from lava flows in Hawaii? 

Basalt → mafic, fine-grained, forms from non-explosive lava flows. 

Are the volcanoes in Hawaii Shield Volcanoes, or Composite Volcano? 

Shield volcanoes

Is the volcanoes at Mt St Hellens Shield Volcano, or Composite Volcano? 

Composite volcano

What is regional metamorphism? With what geologic occurrence is it associated with? Which mountain belt in the USA was formed by regional metamorphism? 

Metamorphism affecting large regions due to high pressure and temperature.

Mountain-building (orogenic) events at convergent plate boundaries.

Appalachian Mountains.

Quartz is associated with rocks dominated by felsic minerals, would it be more abundant in a) Gabbro/Basalt or b) Granite/Diorite 

Quartz is felsic, so it’s more abundant in: Granite/Diorite (b)  

Which type of rocks are associated with fossil fuels (gas/petroleum/coal) 

sedimentary rocks. 

ur mom

sucks d/ick

What major mineral types crystallize as rocks cool following the Bowen Reaction series? (Left side and Right side) 

Left = Olivine → Pyroxene → Amphibole → Biotite 

Right = Ca-plagioclase → Na-plagioclase 

Late = K-feldspar, Muscovite, Quartz 

What is the physical similarities between rhyolite and basalt? 

fine-grained extrusive rocks.

What is the compositional similarity between rhyolite and granite? 

felsic, high silica. 

What is cross bedding structure, in what type of rocks does it occur 

Cross-bedding = angled layers in sedimentary rocks (sandstone) formed by wind or water. 

Describe the six steps that lead to formation of a sedimentary rock 

Weather → Erode → Deposit → Compact → Cement → Lithify = Sedimentary rock formation 

What is the difference between single chain, double chain, sheet, and framework silicates? Give an example of a mineral of each type of silicate 

Single-chain silicates: Tetrahedra in single chains → Pyroxene 

Double-chain silicates: Tetrahedra in double chains → Amphibole 

Sheet silicates: Tetrahedra in flat sheets → Mica 

Framework silicates: Tetrahedra in 3D framework → Quartz / Feldspar 

Lithification involves 2 steps, what are they? 

Compaction

Cementation

What do you call a dark colored glassy semi-transparent rock with conchoidal fracture? What did stone-age human beings do with such rocks 

Obsidian → sharp glassy rock used for Stone-Age tools. 

Outline the four agents that change parent rocks (protolith) into metamorphic rocks).  At what temperature ranges do metamorphic rocks form? At what depth ranges? And at what pressure range? 

• Agents: Heat, Pressure, Chemically Active Fluids, Time

• Temperature: 200–800°C

• Depth: 5–30 km

• Pressure: 2–12 kilobars

What is the difference between foliated and non-foliated metamorphic rocks? 

Foliated = minerals aligned in planes/bands due to directed stress. 

Non-foliated = minerals randomly arranged, usually under uniform pressure or from composition. 

What are clastic sedimentary rocks? What are non-clastic sedimentary rocks? 

Clastic = made of broken rock fragments (mechanical weathering). 

Non-clastic = formed by chemical precipitation or organic accumulation. 

What does rounding and angularity tell you about the grains of a sedimentary rock?  What is the difference between a conglomerate and breccia? 

Rounding/Angularity = transport history. 

Conglomerate (rounded) vs. Breccia (angular) = tells you about distance from source and depositional setting. 

In ascending order of building blocks/composition arrange the following: atoms, rocks, minerals, elements. 

Atoms → Elements → Minerals → Rocks 

What is APHANITIC texture and with what rock type is it associated with? What is PHANERITIC texture and with what rock type is it associated with?  

Aphanitic = fine-grained, extrusive, rapid cooling 

Phaneritic = coarse-grained, intrusive, slow cooling 

What are vesicles and what occurrence would a vesicular basalt explain? 

So, a vesicular basalt tells us the lava had trapped gas bubbles during eruption and cooled quickly at the surface. 

What do you call a light colored glassy frothy rock?\ 

pumice.

What are the similarities and differences between DIAMOND and GRAPHITE?  Are they alike or do they differ in crystalline structure, composition or hardness 

• Composition: Both are made of pure carbon (C). 

• Mineral group: Both are native elements. 

• Polymorphs: They share the same chemical formula but differ in crystal structure. 

Understand and know the 10 minerals on the Moh’s Hardness scale, if necessary use a mnemonic 

• T = Talc 

• G = Gypsum 

• C = Calcite 

• F = Fluorite 

• A = Apatite 

• O = Orthoclase 

• Q = Quartz 

• T = Topaz 

• C = Corundum 

• D = Diamond 

What sedimentary rocks have CALCITE? (Minimum of 3) How do they react to acid? 

• Examples: Limestone, Chalk, Coquina. 

• Acid reaction: Effervesce/fizz due to release of CO₂ gas. 

When CALCITE bearing rocks are subjected to metamorphism what do they become?

calcite-bearing rocks → Marble when metamorphosed. 

What is a SLATE? What is a Phyllite? What is a SCHIST? What is a GNEISS? Who of them is low grade? Which is medium grade? And which one is HIGH GRADE metamorphism. 

Slate → Low 

Phyllite → Low–Medium 

Schist → Medium 

Gneiss → High 

What is the most abundant mineral in the earth’s crust?

Feldspar is the most abundant mineral in Earth’s crust.

What is the most abundant ROCK on the surface of the earth?  

Sedimentary rocks are the most abundant rocks on the Earth’s surface.

What sedimentary rock has visible shell fragments? 

Coquina is the sedimentary rock with visible shell fragments. 

Define chemical weathering and physical weathering and give examples? 

• Chemical weathering = alters composition. 

• Physical weathering = changes size/shape only, composition stays the same. 

 Know the three major characteristics regarding regional metamorphic rocks? 

typically foliated 

low temperature 

high pressure

tectonic stress

 

Be familiar with the major following volcanic structures on conti8nental United States? 

1. Yellowstone 

2. St. Helens

3. Crater Lake 

 

the major structure associated with Regional Metamorphism in the US is the………………..

Appalachians 

Remember the 2 major factors in Lithification? 

 ( Compaction and cementation) 

 What is the relationship between the viscosity of magma and its silica content? 

Higher silica content → higher viscosity → slower flow and more explosive potential. 

Lower silica content → lower viscosity → faster flow, less explosive. 

What is the relationship between cross-bedding structure and the direction of running water or wind current movement. 

Cross-bedding orientation → indicates direction of sediment transport by water or wind. 

Are the main building blocks of the Grand Canyon Igneous, Sedimentary or Metamorphic rocks? 

Sedimentary rocks are the main building blocks of the Grand Canyon. 

According to the Bowen's Reaction Series, which minerals tends to be the first one that crystallizes from a cooling magma

Olivine is typically the first mineral to crystallize from cooling magma. 

the  most common type of rocks found in the Appalachians

metamorphic

Both marine and non-marine fossils can be preserved in the sedimentary rocks formed in a ___ environment.

 (A Lake

  B) delta

c) Glacier

d) Deep marine

Delta is the sedimentary environment where both marine and non-marine fossils can be preserved. 

pebis

vajanis