geological time scale rocks and minerals

Rock cycle

a continuous process where rocks are transformed from one type to another (igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic) through various natural processes, including erosion, weathering, melting, solidification, and metamorphism

Different types of rocks

igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic

Landforms developed from metamorphic rocks

mountains and areas with folded or deformed bedrock.

Lithification

The process that converts sediments into solid rock by compaction or cementation.

Formation of igneous rocks

all igneous rocks came from the cooling and crystallization of molten rock

formation of sedimentary rocks

sediment is compacted and cemented, often in layers that trap fossils,

Formation of metamorphic rocks

Metamorphic rocks form when rocks come in contact with magma that is rising through the crust. The transformation of the rocks is caused by extreme heat and pressure that can cause physical and chemical changes within the rocks.

sandstone

A sedimentary rock formed by cementing grains of sand over time.

dunes

a hill or mound of loose sand formed by wind or water.

types of dunes

barchan, transverse, linear, star, parabolic

Barchan

Type of sand dune; is crescent shaped, tails point downwind, and constant wind direction

shale

soft, finely stratified sedimentary rock that formed from consolidated mud or clay and can be split easily into fragile slabs.

dolostone

an abundant carbonate rock composed primarily of dolomite and formed by the diagenesis of carbonate sediments and limestones

limestone

a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium that was deposited by the remains of marine animals

Foliated Rock

a metamorphic rock with a texture that gives the rock a layered appearance, ex: Slate: A low-grade metamorphic rock with very fine mica grains and a distinct slaty cleavage.

Un-foliated rocks

a type of metamorphic rock that lacks a layered or banded appearance, unlike foliated rocks., characterized by the absence of layering or banding, ex: Marble: A metamorphic rock formed from limestone, composed primarily of calcite or dolomite.

Quartzite: A metamorphic rock formed from sandstone, composed primarily of quartz.

Major Eras of Geological Time

Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

Definition & Characteristics of a rock

a naturally occurring, solid, and coherent aggregate of one or more minerals. Rocks are classified into three major groups based on their formation processes: igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic

Definition & Characteristics of a mineral

a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid with a definite chemical composition and a specific, ordered internal structure (crystal structure). minerals are the building blocks of rocks.

Major Groups of Minerals

silicates (90% of crust by mass, mafic & felsic minerals-clay minerals) and non-silicates (carbonates, oxides, sulfides)

Felsic Minerals

Light coloured and silica rich, most common group in crust ex) Granite & Gabbro Rocks

Mafic Minerals

Dark coloured, silica poor and rich in magnesium and iron ex) olivine & pyroxene

Igneous Rocks

Form directly from cooling of magma or lava. Ex: granite (magma) and obsidian (lava), generally hard and crystalline, with textures ranging from coarse to fine-grained depending on the cooling rate.

Sedimentary Rocks

rock that forms when sediments such as muds, sands, or gravels are compressed by overlying sediments, formed from the accumulation of pre-existing rocks, once-living organisms, or chemical precipitates, and can be found in a variety of locations on Earth's surface.

Metamorphic Rocks

Made when heat, pressure, or fluids change one type of rock into another type of rock ex) gneiss, slate, marble, quartzite, phyllite, schist, eclogite, hornfels, soapstone, and amphibolite.

geographic location of igneous rocks

volcanic areas at plate boundaries, hot spots, and deep within the Earth's crust.

geographic location of sedimentary rocks

continental, shoreline/transitional, and marine environments. alluvial fans, river channels, flood plains, deltas, lakes, desert valleys, beaches, shallow marine areas, and the deep-sea floor.

geographic location of metamorphic rocks

areas of mountain building and deep within the Earth's crust, often where tectonic plates collide and exert high pressure and temperature. the Himalayas, Alps, and Rocky Mountains, as well as areas like the Appalachian Mountains.

landforms developed from igneous rocks

volcanoes, lava plateaus, and cinder cones, while intrusive landforms include batholiths, laccoliths, sills, and dikes.

landforms developed from sedimentary

mesas, buttes, arches, canyons, and coastal features like deltas and barrier islands.

Ancient rocks, minerals, and fossils details and their geographic location

Zircons (Jack Hills): Some of the oldest known minerals, found in the Jack Hills rocks, Acasta Gneiss (Canada): One of the oldest known rocks on Earth, dating back 4 billion years, Archean rocks in Western Australia, indicating early life around 3.5 billion years ago. These ancient formations, often found in geological shields, provide clues about the early Earth.