Rocks
What is a Rock? Any solid mass of mineral or mineral-like matter that occurs naturally as part of our planet 3 types Igneous Sedimentary Metamorphic
The Rock Cycle Interactions among Earth’s water, air, land, and living things can cause rocks to change from one type to another A continuous process
Igneous Rocks Forms when lava or magma hardens Lava Magma Molten rock on the surface of the Earth Magma Molten rock beneath Earth’s surface
Igneous Rocks are formed by Cooling Crystallization
Formation of Igneous Rocks Intrusive Igneous Rock: forms when magma hardens beneath Earth’s surface Ex: Granite Extrusive Igneous Rock: forms when lava hardens on the surface of the Earth Ex: Rhyolite
Classification of Igneous Rocks Texture and composition are two characteristics used to classify igneous rocks
What is a Sedimentary Rock? Forms when existing rocks are broken down into sediment then compacted and cemented together Processes Cementing Compaction
Formation of Sedimentary Rocks Weathering: Any process that break rocks into sediments Erosion : The removal of weathered rocks Deposition: when an agent of erosion (water, wind, ice, or gravity) loses energy, it drops the sediment Compaction: is a process that squeezes or compacts sediments together Cementation: takes place when dissolved minerals are deposited in the tiny spaces among the sediments
What is a Metamorphic Rock Form when existing rocks are changed by heat and pressure Metamorphism: means “change form”
Agents of Metamorphism Heat: provides the energy needed to drive chemical reactions which causes existing minerals to recrystallize Pressure: applied in all directions on a rock which causes spaces between mineral grains to close Hydrothermal Solutions: hot, water based solutions that promote recrystallization by dissolving original minerals and then depositing new ones
Classification of Metamorphic Rocks Classified by texture and composition Foliated Rock with layered or banded appearance Ex: Gneiss Nonfoliated No layered or banded appearance Contains only one mineral Ex: Marble