Metamorphic and Igneous Rocks Quiz

Metamorphic Rocks

• Formed from existing rocks under extreme heat and/or pressure.
• Contact metamorphism: Occurs when rocks near lava recrystallize due to high temperatures (e.g., limestone transforms into marble).
• Regional metamorphism: Occurs beneath mountains where rocks are subjected to significant heat and pressure (e.g., gneiss).
• Examples include schist and quartzite.

Igneous Rocks

• Formed from the cooling of magma or lava.
• Intrusive igneous rocks: Form when magma cools below the Earth's surface, characterized by large crystals (e.g., granite).
• Extrusive igneous rocks: Form when lava cools on the surface, resulting in small or absent crystals (e.g., basalt, obsidian).

Sedimentary Rocks

• Formed through processes of deposition, compaction, and cementation.
• Clastic sedimentary rocks: Created from the compaction of rock fragments (e.g., sandstone).
• Organic sedimentary rocks: Formed from the compression of biological materials (e.g., coal).
• Chemical sedimentary rocks: Result from minerals precipitating from solution and crystallizing (e.g., gypsum).

Rock Cycle

• Igneous rocks undergo deposition and erosion to form sedimentary rocks.
• Sedimentary rocks can transform into metamorphic rocks through heat and pressure.
• Metamorphic rocks can melt and cool to create new igneous rocks.

Rock vs Mineral

• A rock is a solid containing a heterogeneous combination of multiple minerals (e.g., granite).
• A mineral is a solid with a uniform crystalline structure composed of one or more elements/compounds (e.g., feldspar).

Crystal

• Defined as a solid with a consistent atomic structure (e.g., quartz).

Geological Eras

• Paleozoic Era: Spanning from 541 to 252 million years ago, marked by the emergence of aquatic life, trees, and land dwellers during the Carboniferous period.
• Mesozoic Era: Ranging from 252 to 66 million years ago, known as the age of dinosaurs and reptiles.
• Cenozoic Era: From 66 million years ago to present, termed the human era, featuring the Cambrian explosion which introduced a vast diversity of organisms.

Types of Metamorphic Rocks

• Foliated rocks: Featuring banding (e.g., schist).
• Non-foliated rocks: Lacking banding (e.g., marble).

Test your knowledge on metamorphic and igneous rocks in this quiz. Learn about the formation processes, examples, and properties of these fascinating geological structures. Understand the differences between contact and regional metamorphism, along with the characteristics of intrusive igneous rocks.