Rock Classification Flashcards

Rock Classification Terms

• Classify: Organizing objects or events into groups based on common characteristics.

• Extrusive Igneous Rock: Formed from cooling molten rock on Earth's surface, typically resulting in fine-grained textures due to rapid cooling.

• Foliation: A metamorphic rock texture where mineral grains are aligned, resembling pages of a book, indicating directional pressure during formation.

• Fossil: Preserved remains or traces of once-living organisms found in rock, providing insights into past life forms and environments.

• Intrusive Igneous Rock: Developed from cooling molten rock beneath Earth's surface, characterized by larger crystals due to slower cooling rates.

• Metamorphic Rock: Rock altered through heat and pressure, resulting in changes in mineral composition and texture.

• Mineral: Naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a defined crystal structure and specific chemical composition, forming the building blocks of rocks.

• Sedimentary Rock: Created from the accumulation of sediments, organic materials, or chemical precipitates, typically displaying layered appearances.

• Strata: Distinct layers of sedimentary rock formed from the deposition of sediments over time, often revealing geological history.

• Texture: Refers to the sizes, shapes, and arrangements of grains within a rock, influencing its appearance and type classification.