Geology: Igneous Rocks and Placers

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of the reorganization of atoms in minerals during the formation of metamorphic rocks?

  • Heat (correct)
  • Chemical reactions
  • Water content
  • Pressure

Which of the following factors is NOT involved in the metamorphism of rocks?

  • Time
  • Chemical alteration
  • Weathering (correct)
  • Pressure

What are the two main textures observed in metamorphic rocks?

  • Coarse and fine
  • Crystalline and amorphous
  • Foliated and non-foliated (correct)
  • Layered and non-layered

Which type of fluids primarily contribute to chemical reactions during the metamorphism of rocks?

<p>Water with dissolved ions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the hardness of metamorphic rocks is correct?

<p>They are generally harder than their parent rocks. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the duration of exposure to heat and pressure affect the metamorphic transformation?

<p>The transformation becomes more pronounced. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What determines the mineral composition of metamorphic rocks?

<p>Parent rock and conditions of metamorphism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does pressure play in the metamorphic process?

<p>It causes deformation and reorientation of minerals. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process leads to the concentration of heavier minerals such as gold and platinum?

<p>Mechanical concentration by water currents (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of igneous rock forms as lava cools on the Earth's surface?

<p>Volcanic igneous rock (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes plutonic (or intrusive) igneous rocks?

<p>They have a coarse crystalline texture (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a process involved in the formation of igneous rocks?

<p>Consolidation of sediments (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does slow cooling affect the crystal structure of igneous rocks?

<p>Creates large, visible crystals (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to lighter particles during the mechanical concentration of minerals?

<p>They are carried away by water currents (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a plutonic igneous rock?

<p>Granite (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary origin of igneous rocks?

<p>Cooling of molten material (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary process involved in the formation of igneous rocks?

<p>Cooling and crystallization of magma (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT associated with the formation of metamorphic rocks?

<p>Cooling of magma (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes metamorphic rocks from igneous rocks?

<p>They result from recrystallization of existing rocks (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions does NOT typically lead to the formation of metamorphic rocks?

<p>Low pressure (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes both igneous and metamorphic rocks?

<p>Both involve the transformation of pre-existing materials (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which types of rocks are primarily found in the earth's crust?

<p>Igneous rocks (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of rocks?

<p>Minerals (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic would NOT typically be used to classify rock samples?

<p>Weight (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which rock types are considered igneous?

<p>Granite and basalt (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What grouping method might be used to classify rock samples?

<p>Composition of minerals (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a type of rock mentioned in the content?

<p>Shale (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of rocks in the earth's crust?

<p>To form the foundational layer of the earth (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When classifying rocks, which feature would likely be considered?

<p>Their mineral composition (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a mineral deposit?

<p>A concentration of a mineral that is scientifically or technologically important. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an ore deposit from a mineral deposit?

<p>It must have been tested and determined to be economically viable for mining. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of ore deposit is formed from elements once dispersed in magma?

<p>Magmatic Ore Deposits (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is typically needed for a mineral deposit to be considered economically viable?

<p>A favorable economic environment for extraction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an ore deposit?

<p>Located exclusively in mountainous regions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The extraction of which type of mineral resources often involves open-pit mining?

<p>Coal Deposits (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'mineral occurrence' refer to?

<p>Any presence of minerals without regard to concentration. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is critical in determining whether a mineral deposit is mined?

<p>The economic conditions surrounding the deposit. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Placers

  • Are made up of minerals that have been separated from rocks by weathering and then concentrated by gravity
  • Heavier minerals like gold, platinum, diamonds, and tin are mechanically concentrated by water currents
  • Lighter particles are carried away by water currents

Igneous Rocks

  • Formed from the cooling of molten material such as magma, lava, and pyroclastics
  • The development of Igneous rocks creates uplift exposing them to weathering and erosion
  • Igneous rocks are classified into two groups
    • Volcanic (Extrusive) Igneous Rocks - form on Earth's surface as lava cools
    • Plutonic (or Intrusive) Igneous Rocks - form deep underground where magma cools slowly creating coarse crystalline texture

Formation of Igneous Rocks

  • Slow cooling of magma creates large crystals that are visible to the naked eye
    • Examples: granite, diorite, syenite
  • Rapid cooling of magma creates minimal mineral crystals that are not visible to the naked eye
    • Examples: chalk, coal, diatomite, some dolomites, and some limestones

Metamorphic Rocks

  • Rocks that have been changed in form due to heat, pressure, and chemical alteration.
  • Metamorphism: pressure and temperature dictate a rock’s new properties

Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

  • Heat: energy reorganizes atoms in minerals leading to the formation of new minerals
  • Pressure: causes deformation and reorientation of minerals
  • Chemically Active Fluids: fluids particularly water with dissolved ions cause chemical reactions altering rock composition
  • Time: the longer a rock is exposed to heat and pressure, the more pronounced the metamorphic transformation

Properties of Metamorphic Rocks

  • Texture: Can be foliated (layered) or non-foliated
  • Hardness: Generally harder than their parent rock
  • Mineral Composition: Varies depending on the parent rock and the conditions of metamorphism

The Earth’s Crust

  • Composed of rocks that are primarily composed of minerals but may also contain organic materials
  • The granite and basalt rocks of the continental and oceanic crusts were the original, igneous rocks

Rock Cycle

  • Igneous Rocks: form due to the cooling and crystallization of magma
  • Sedimentary Rocks: form from the accumulation and cementation of sediments
  • Metamorphic Rocks: rocks are recrystallized due to heat, pressure, and chemical alteration

Mineral Deposits and Their Formation

  • Mineral Occurrence: concentration of a mineral that is of scientific or technological importance
  • Mineral Deposit: a mineral occurrence large enough in size and grade to enable extraction under favorable conditions
  • Ore Deposit: a mineral deposit that has undergone testing and has been determined to be economically viable for mining

Mineral Resources and Their Origin

  • Magmatic Ore Deposits: elements once dispersed in magma accumulate and enrich, forming ore minerals

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