Introduction to Petrology and Igneous Rocks

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What is the main focus of petrology?

The study of the Earth's oceans

The study of the Earth's atmosphere

The study of the Earth's rocks (correct)

The study of the Earth's magnetic field

Which type of igneous rock forms with large mineral grains due to slow cooling beneath the Earth's surface?

Rhyolite

Basalt

Andesite

Granite (correct)

What process forms sedimentary rocks?

Transformation of existing rocks due to heat and pressure

Solidification of molten magma

Cooling of lava

Accumulation and compaction of sediments (correct)

Which type of rock results from the transformation of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, or chemical changes?

Metamorphic rock Signup and view all the answers

What causes extrusive or volcanic rocks to have fine-grained mineral grains?

Rapid cooling due to loss of heat to the surrounding environment Signup and view all the answers

Which type of igneous rock contains high amounts of silica and includes granite and rhyolite?

Felsic igneous rocks Signup and view all the answers

Where is basalt commonly found as an igneous rock?

Oceanic crust Signup and view all the answers

What process causes magma to cool and solidify, leading to the crystallization of minerals within it?

Crystallization Signup and view all the answers

Which type of igneous rock consists mainly of ferromagnesian minerals and is high in iron and magnesium?

Mafic igneous rocks Signup and view all the answers

In which location do igneous rocks such as granite and gabbro form, often in mountainous regions?

Continental crust Signup and view all the answers

What are the three major groups into which geologists divide rocks?

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic Signup and view all the answers

Which factor strongly influences the nature and appearance of a rock?

The minerals that compose the rock Signup and view all the answers

Where do hot spots occur in relation to the Earth's lithosphere?

Beneath both oceanic and continental lithosphere Signup and view all the answers

What do petrologic studies typically aim to achieve?

Interpretation and classification of rocks Signup and view all the answers

Which discipline heavily influences petrology besides chemical and mineralogical aspects?

Structural geology Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of divergent plate boundaries in the context of rock formation?

They are the primary sites of seafloor spreading Signup and view all the answers

In petrology, which type of silicate consists of a continuous 3-dimensional network of tetrahedra sharing all 4 corners?

Tectosilicate Signup and view all the answers

Which type of silicate forms rings by sharing two corners of tetrahedra?

Cyclosilicate Signup and view all the answers

What is the Si:O ratio in Amphibole, a mineral belonging to the Inosilicate group?

4:11 Signup and view all the answers

Which silicate type is characterized by independent tetrahedra satisfied in charge and held together by cations?

Nesosilicate Signup and view all the answers