Rocks and Minerals Overview

Rocks formed when magma or lava cools and solidifies. Intrusive igneous rocks cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, forming large crystals (e.g., granite). Extrusive igneous rocks cool quickly on the surface, resulting in small crystals or glassy textures (e.g., basalt, obsidian).

Rocks formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of sediments. Sediments can be fragments of other rocks (clastic), dissolved minerals (chemical), or plant/animal remains (organic).

Rocks formed when existing rocks undergo intense heat and pressure. The heat causes recrystallization and the formation of new minerals, while the pressure can create layered (foliated) or non-layered (non-foliated) textures.

The process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition. It can be mechanical (e.g., frost wedging, abrasion) or chemical (e.g., oxidation, carbonation).

The process of transporting weathered rock fragments to new locations. The primary agents of erosion are water, wind, ice, and gravity.

The process of pressing sediments together due to the weight of overlying layers.

The process where dissolved minerals in groundwater bind sedimentary particles together, turning them into solid rock.

Rocks melt due to extreme heat, such as near subduction zones or hotspots. Magma is molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface, while lava is molten rock that has erupted onto the surface.

The process where magma or lava cools and solidifies. The rate of cooling affects the size of crystals formed. Slow cooling results in larger crystals (e.g., granite), while rapid cooling leads to smaller crystals or glassy textures (e.g., basalt, obsidian).

Heat is a key factor in the rock cycle, often sourced from magma or geothermal energy. It causes recrystallization and the formation of new minerals.

Igneous rocks form when magma or lava cools and solidifies. Intrusive igneous rocks cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, creating large crystals (e.g., granite). Extrusive igneous rocks, like basalt, cool quickly on the surface, resulting in small crystals or glassy textures.

Sedimentary rocks form from layers of sediment that are compacted and cemented together.

Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks (igneous, sedimentary, or even other metamorphic rocks) are subjected to intense heat and pressure.

Mechanical weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition. Examples include frost wedging and abrasion.

Chemical weathering changes the chemical composition of rocks. Examples include oxidation (rusting) and carbonation (dissolving by acid rain).

Erosion is the process of moving weathered rock fragments from one place to another. Agents of erosion include water, wind, ice, and gravity.

Compaction is the process of pressing sediments together due to the weight of overlying layers.

Cementation is the process where dissolved minerals in groundwater bind sedimentary particles together, turning them into solid rock.

Melting occurs when rocks are exposed to extreme heat, such as near subduction zones or hotspots. This turns them into liquid magma.

Cooling is the process by which magma or lava solidifies into igneous rocks. Slow cooling allows for the formation of large crystals (e.g., granite), while rapid cooling creates smaller crystals or glassy textures (e.g., basalt).