Minerals and Igneous Rocks

These flashcards cover essential terms and definitions related to minerals, their classification, properties, and igneous rock formations, helping in understanding the key concepts discussed in the lecture.

Requirements to be a mineral

1) Solid at room temperature 2) Inorganic 3) Naturally occurring 4) Crystalline structure 5) Chemical compound.

Halite

The mineral form of sodium chloride (NaCl), typically evaporates naturally in dry lake beds.

Silicates

The most common class of minerals, primarily composed of silicon and oxygen.

Mineral Streak

The powder form of a mineral obtained by crushing it, often revealing a different color than the mineral itself.

Anions

Negatively charged ions, which are typically larger than cations.

Cations

Positively charged ions, the sizes of which and anions determine how they bond.

Mineral Cleavage

The way a mineral breaks along flat planes, which reflect light. Clean cuts, one or more flat surfaces

Fracture

The manner in which a mineral breaks when no cleavage planes are present. Jagged cuts

Calcite

A mineral made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) that has various uses including in cement and as a dietary supplement.

Bowen's Reaction Series

A sequence that illustrates the order of mineral crystallization from a cooling magma.

Extrusive Rocks

Igneous rocks that cool and crystallize rapidly at or near the Earth's surface.

Intrusive Rocks

Igneous rocks that cool slow beneath the Earth's surface, allowing large crystals to form.

Pyroclastic Debris

Rock fragments ejected into the air from explosive volcanic eruptions.

Viscosity

A measure of how 'runny' a magma is, affecting how easily it can lose gas and resist pressure.

Lava Flow

The movement of molten rock that erupts from a volcano.

Lahars

Volcanic mud flows that occur when volcanic ash mixes with water, leading to a rapid and destructive flow.

Volcanic Gas Composition

Felsic/intermediate magmas have more dissolved gases, while mafic magmas have less.

Caldera

A large depression formed when a volcano's magma chamber empties out.