Earth Systems 3209 Unit 3: Earth Materials - Rocks

A series of flashcards that cover key vocabulary and concepts related to rocks and the rock cycle as per the lecture notes from Earth Systems 3209.

Igneous Rocks

Rocks that have solidified from a molten state; includes examples like granite (intrusive) and basalt (extrusive).

Magma

Molten rock located beneath the Earth’s surface.

Lava

Molten rock that has reached the Earth's surface.

Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks formed by the deposition and cementation of mineral or organic particles on the Earth's surface.

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks that have been altered by heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids.

Clastic Rocks

Sedimentary rocks formed from mechanical weathering; classified by grain size.

Chemical Rocks

Sedimentary rocks formed from the precipitation of minerals from solution.

Organic Rocks

Sedimentary rocks formed from the accumulation of plant or animal matter.

Metamorphism

The process of changing one rock type into another through heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids.

Foliated Texture

A metamorphic rock texture where minerals are aligned in planes or bands due to pressure.

Non-foliated Texture

Metamorphic rocks that do not display layered or banded appearance, such as marble.

Bowen's Reaction Series

A concept that describes the order in which minerals crystallize from cooling magma.

Mafic Rocks

Igneous rocks that are high in magnesium and iron, typically dark-colored.

Felsic Rocks

Igneous rocks that are high in silicon and aluminum, typically light-colored.

Metamorphism Agents

Main agents include heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids that contribute to rock transformation.

Lithification

The process of compacting and cementing sediments to form sedimentary rocks.

Weathering

The process of breaking down rocks at the Earth's surface through mechanical or chemical means.

Erosion

The transport of sediments away from their source due to wind, water, or ice.

Solidification

The process by which molten materials cool and become solid, forming igneous rocks.

Texture

The size, shape, and arrangement of minerals within a rock, influencing its classification.