Mineral Classes and Characteristics Quiz

Questions and Answers

Calcite (CaCO3) is in which mineral class?

Silicates

Oxides

Carbonates (correct)

Sulfides

Pyrite (FeS2) is in which mineral class?

Sulfides (correct)

Silicates

Phosphates

Carbonates

The mineral class that makes up more than 95% of rocks in the continental crust is termed?

silicates

Which layer of Earth does NOT contain silicate minerals?

outer core Signup and view all the answers

A __________ is a mineral-lined cavity in a rock.

geode Signup and view all the answers

Minerals that grow around volcanic vents MOST likely form by?

precipitation from a gas Signup and view all the answers

The color of a mineral in powdered form is termed?

streak Signup and view all the answers

Cleavage in minerals refers to?

a tendency to break along planes of weakness Signup and view all the answers

Synthetically made glass and natural quartz crystals both exhibit a fracture pattern termed?

conchoidal fracture Signup and view all the answers

With regard to minerals, hardness refers to the ability to resist?

being scratched Signup and view all the answers

Geologists refer to an exposure of bedrock on the surface as a(n)?

outcrop Signup and view all the answers

Diamonds are found in?

kimberlite Signup and view all the answers

A facet is a __________ on a gem.

polished surface Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock forms by the solidification of a melt?

igneous Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock forms when preexisting rocks undergo changes in response to a modification of their environment, without first melting?

metamorphic rock Signup and view all the answers

The difference between magma and lava is that __________.

magma is found beneath the surface, whereas lava is found at the surface Signup and view all the answers

Which type of magma has the greatest silica content?

felsic Signup and view all the answers

Viscosity controls how __________.

fast a fluid flows Signup and view all the answers

The mantle is composed entirely of __________.

ultramafic rock Signup and view all the answers

In general, if a body of igneous (source) rock is subjected to partial melting, the magma that is produced is expected to be __________.

more felsic than the source rock Signup and view all the answers

An irregular-shaped and bloblike igneous rock body that cooled beneath the surface of Earth is a __________.

pluton Signup and view all the answers

A sill is a(n) __________.

tabular intrusion that lies parallel to surrounding layers of sedimentary rock Signup and view all the answers

A batholith is a(n) __________.

large compound igneous intrusion Signup and view all the answers

Magma tends to __________.

move upward, away from where it formed Signup and view all the answers

Columnar jointing forms primarily because of?

contraction and cracking of rock during the cooling process Signup and view all the answers

The extremely high __________ within Earth prevents rock from melting.

pressure Signup and view all the answers

All other factors being equal (i.e., depth, volume, temperature, etc.), which type of igneous intrusion would cool fastest?

dike Signup and view all the answers

Ash, and larger fragments of pumice are all examples of?

pyroclastic debris Signup and view all the answers

Felsic igneous rocks typically?

are lighter in color than mafic rocks Signup and view all the answers

Bubbles trapped in lava after the molten material are cooled are called?

vesicles Signup and view all the answers

Compared with coarse-grained igneous rocks, fine-grained igneous rocks?

cool and solidify more quickly Signup and view all the answers

Granite, a coarse-grained, felsic intrusive igneous rock is most similar in mineral composition to __________, which is a fine-grained, felsic extrusive equivalent.

rhyolite Signup and view all the answers

Why is the outer core the only layer in Earth that is molten?

The temperature is high enough but pressure low enough to melt iron Signup and view all the answers

Compared with mafic igneous rocks, all felsic igneous rocks?

solidify at lower temperatures Signup and view all the answers

Volcanic arcs form along __________ boundaries.

convergent Signup and view all the answers

Which type of volcano forms from layers of mafic lava erupted in primarily effusive eruptions?

shield volcanoes Signup and view all the answers

__________ form from piles of pyroclastic debris (mainly lapilli) that fountain out of a vent during an effusive eruption.

cinder cones Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mineral Classes

Calcite (CaCO3) belongs to the Carbonates class.
Pyrite (FeS2) is categorized under Sulfides.
The mineral class constituting over 95% of rocks in the continental crust is known as silicates.
The outer core does not contain silicate minerals.

Mineral Characteristics

A geode is a mineral-lined cavity formed in a rock.
Volcanic vent minerals predominantly form through precipitation from gas.
The streak of a mineral refers to its color in powdered form.
Cleavage describes a mineral's tendency to break along planes of weakness.
Conchoidal fracture is exhibited by both synthetically made glass and natural quartz crystals.
Hardness assesses a mineral's ability to resist scratching.

Geological Features

Exposure of bedrock at the surface is termed an outcrop.
Diamonds are found in kimberlite formations.
A facet is a polished surface on a gem.

Rock Types and Formation

Igneous rocks form from the solidification of molten material.
Metamorphic rocks arise from changes in preexisting rocks without melting.
Magma is located beneath the surface, whereas lava is above it.
Felsic magma contains the highest silica content.

Viscosity and Rock Composition

Viscosity determines the speed at which a fluid flows.
The mantle consists entirely of ultramafic rock.
Partial melting of igneous rock produces magma that is typically more felsic than the original rock.

Types of Igneous Intrusions

A pluton is an irregular, blob-shaped igneous rock body found beneath Earth's surface.
A sill is a tabular intrusion that runs parallel to surrounding sedimentary rock layers.
A batholith is a large, compound igneous intrusion.
Magma tends to move upward, away from its formation location.

Cooling Processes and Textures

Columnar jointing results from contraction and cracking during the cooling of rock.
High pressure within Earth prevents rock melting.
Among igneous intrusions, dikes cool fastest under equal conditions.
Pyroclastic debris includes ash and larger fragments of pumice.

Rock Color and Texture

Felsic igneous rocks are generally lighter in color than mafic rocks.
Vesicles are bubbles trapped in lava after cooling.
Compared to coarse-grained igneous rocks, fine-grained igneous rocks cool and solidify more quickly.
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive rock, is similar in mineral composition to rhyolite, a fine-grained felsic extrusive rock.

Earth's Layers and Volcanism

The outer core is uniquely molten due to high temperatures and relatively low pressure sufficient to melt iron.
All felsic igneous rocks solidify at lower temperatures than mafic rocks.
Volcanic arcs are located along convergent boundaries.
Shield volcanoes form from layers of mafic lava through primarily effusive eruptions.
Cinder cones are formed from piles of pyroclastic debris, mainly lapilli, erupted during effusive events.

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Description

Test your knowledge on mineral classes, characteristics, and geological features in this quiz. From the properties of calcite and pyrite to the definitions of geodes and cleavage, this quiz covers essential concepts in geology. Challenge yourself with various questions about rocks and minerals!