Rock Types and the Rock Cycle

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Questions and Answers

What are the three main types of rocks?

Igneous Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

All of the above (correct)

Igneous rocks can only be formed from volcanic activity.

False

What is the process by which sediments are compacted into sedimentary rocks?

Lithification

Metamorphic rocks are formed from existing rocks that have been transformed by heat, pressure, or __________ without melting.

chemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

Match the following rock types with their description:

Igneous Rocks = Formed from cooled magma or lava Sedimentary Rocks = Formed from accumulated sediments Metamorphic Rocks = Transformed from existing rocks through heat and pressure Signup and view all the answers

Crystallization is the process where molten rock cools and solidifies.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the main effect of weathering and erosion in the rock cycle?

Breakdown of rocks into sediments Signup and view all the answers

Which process completes the rock cycle by turning rocks into magma?

Melting Signup and view all the answers

What are intrusive and extrusive igneous bodies examples?

Dykes, sills, stocks, batholiths Signup and view all the answers

Quels sont les trois types principaux de roches?

Roches métamorphiques Signup and view all the answers

Comment se forment les roches ignées?

Par le refroidissement et la solidification du magma ou de la lave. Signup and view all the answers

Les roches métamorphiques se forment par la fusion de roches existantes.

False Signup and view all the answers

Le processus de ______________ est celui par lequel les sédiments sont compactés et cimentés en roches sédimentaires.

lithification Signup and view all the answers

Quels processus constituent le cycle des roches?

Transport Signup and view all the answers

Quels types de textures peuvent avoir les roches ignées?

Textures à gros grains ou à grains fins. Signup and view all the answers

Associez chaque type de roche à sa description:

Roches ignées = Formées par le refroidissement du magma Roches sédimentaires = Formées par l'accumulation de sédiments Roches métamorphiques = Transformées par chaleur et pression Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rock Types

Igneous rocks form from cooled magma or lava.
- Plutonic rocks form deep within Earth, have large crystals (coarse-grained).
- Volcanic rocks form on the surface, have small crystals (fine-grained).
- Mafic, intermediate, and felsic compositions impact the minerals and color of igneous rocks.
Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation and cementation of sediments.
- Sand, silt, and clay are common examples of sediments.
Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks (igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks) are transformed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions, without melting.

Processes in the Rock Cycle

Magmatism (Melting): Heat melts rocks, forming magma.
Crystallization: Molten rock cools and solidifies, forming crystals.
Weathering and Erosion: Rocks break down into smaller pieces (sediments) at or near the Earth's surface.
Transport and Deposition: Sediments are moved and deposited in layers, forming layers.
Lithification: Sediments are cemented and compacted into sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphism: Rocks are transformed by heat and pressure, changing their mineralogy and texture.
Melting (again): High enough temperatures cause rocks to turn into magma, completing the cycle.

Rock Features

Crystal Size: Visible crystals (large) indicate slow cooling, while small crystals indicate faster cooling.
Texture: Describes the arrangement, shape, and size of crystals in a rock.
Composition: Refers to the types of minerals present in a rock.
Appearance: The overall color and visual characteristics of the rock.

Intrusive and Extrusive Igneous Bodies

Intrusive bodies: Magma that cools and solidifies within the crust.
- Dykes: Vertical intrusions.
- Sills: Horizontal intrusions.
- Stocks: Smaller, irregular shaped intrusions.
- Batholiths: Large, irregular shaped intrusions.
Extrusive bodies: Magma that erupts onto the surface.
Contacts: The boundary between an intrusion and the surrounding host rock.
- Concordant: Intrusion is parallel to the host rock layers.
- Discordant: Intrusion cuts across the host rock layers.
Silica Content: Affects the color of volcanic rocks.

Rock Types

Igneous Rocks: Formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
- Plutonic: Formed deep within the Earth.
- Volcanic: Formed at the surface.
- Composition:
  - Mafic: Darker color, rich in magnesium and iron, e.g., basalt, gabbro.
  - Intermediate: Mixture of mafic and felsic minerals, e.g., andesite, diorite.
  - Felsic: Lighter color, rich in silica, e.g., rhyolite.
Sedimentary Rocks: Formed from the accumulation and cementation of sediments (e.g., sand, silt, clay).
Metamorphic Rocks: Formed from existing rocks (igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks) that have been transformed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions without melting.

Processes in the Rock Cycle

Magmatism: Heat from the Earth's interior melts rocks, forming magma.
Crystallization: Molten rock cools and solidifies, forming crystals.
Weathering and Erosion: The breakdown of rocks at or near the Earth's surface into smaller pieces (sediments).
Transport and Deposition: Sediments are transported and laid down in layers.
Lithification: The process by which sediments are cemented and compacted into sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphism: Rocks are transformed by heat and pressure, leading to changes in their mineralogy and texture.
Melting: High enough temperatures cause rocks to turn into magma, completing the rock cycle.

Specific Rock Features

Crystal size, texture, composition, and appearance are distinguishing physical characteristics.

Additional Information

Intrusive Igneous Bodies:
- Dykes: Tabular, discordant intrusions that cut across existing rock layers.
- Sills: Tabular, concordant intrusions that are parallel to existing rock layers.
- Stocks: Small, irregular-shaped intrusions.
- Batholiths: Large, irregularly-shaped intrusions.
Concordant and Discordant Contacts: A concordant contact is when an intrusion is parallel to the surrounding rock layers. A discordant contact is when an intrusion cuts across the surrounding rock layers.
Silica Content and Color of Volcanic Rocks: A table illustrating the relationship between the silica content and the color of volcanic rocks.

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Description

Explore the different types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, along with their formation processes. Learn how magmatism, crystallization, weathering, and erosion play crucial roles in the rock cycle. Test your knowledge on the characteristics and processes involved in the formation of various rock types.