30 Questions
What is the key factor in naming chemical sedimentary rocks?
The minerals from which they are made
Which mineral is predominantly found in limestones?
Calcite
What is the defining characteristic of chalcedony?
Microcrystalline quartz with tiny grains
How are biochemical sedimentary rocks formed?
With the help of past life like fossils or plant remains
What does metamorphism refer to?
Transformation of rocks through heat and pressure without melting
What geological process is responsible for regional metamorphism?
Extreme pressure from overlying rock or compression from geologic processes
What distinguishes foliated metamorphic rocks from unfoliated rocks?
Presence of layers
Why are slate rocks able to break along parallel planes easily?
Preferred orientation of sheet silicates
Which rock type is sometimes used as the base for pool tables?
Slate
What gives phyllite rocks a bright, satiny luster?
Mica minerals replacement
Which type of metamorphism can produce both quartz and marble?
Regional metamorphism
What is the main factor that prevents unfoliated rocks like quartz from becoming layered?
Lack of flat or elongate mineral shapes
What type of rocks form from lava that cools rapidly on or near the Earth's surface?
Aphanitic igneous rocks
Which type of igneous rocks have visible crystals due to slow cooling within the Earth?
Granitic (intrusive) igneous rocks
What is an extrusive igneous rock body that forms from a volcano known as?
Volcanic rock
Why do extrusive igneous rocks have tiny crystals?
Because they make contact with the atmosphere and cool rapidly
What type of igneous rocks cool slowly within the Earth's crust, allowing time for large crystals to form?
Granitic (intrusive) igneous rocks
Which type of igneous rock has individual crystals that are not distinguishable to the naked eye?
Aphanitic igneous rocks
What is one of the factors that control metamorphism?
Temperature
How does deep burial affect rocks in terms of temperature?
It exposes the rock to high temperatures.
What is contact metamorphism primarily caused by?
Extreme heat from magma
What happens to the chemical composition of most metamorphic rocks during metamorphism?
The atoms are rearranged into new mineral forms.
What is the approximate temperature at which rocks experience metamorphism due to deep burial?
~200ºC (~400ºF)
Apart from temperature, what other major factor influences metamorphism?
Chemical composition of the protolith
What type of metamorphic rock is characterized by visibly prominent, parallel sheets of mica?
Schist
Which metamorphic rock type usually forms at medium-high metamorphic grades?
Amphibolite
What mineral is commonly found in schist besides micas?
All of the above
Why does gneiss start to contain dark minerals like hornblende as metamorphic grade increases?
Due to the instability of sheet silicates
Which type of metamorphic rock does not contain quartz?
Amphibolite
What distinguishes the foliation surfaces of phyllite from those of schist?
Irregular and wavy surfaces
Test your knowledge on igneous rocks and isotopic information used for determining absolute ages and characterizing magma origins. Learn about the types of Igneous Rocks: Intrusive and Extrusive, and the differences between them.
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