Questions and Answers
What is the rock cycle?
The rock cycle is a never-ending web that repeats again and again, forming new igneous rock through constructive forces, breaking down rock to form sedimentary rocks through destructive forces, and pushing rock deep beneath the surface where heat and pressure form metamorphic rock.
What is igneous rock?
Igneous rock is made from cooled lava and magma.
What are intrusive igneous rocks?
Intrusive igneous rocks are those that cooled slowly beneath the Earth's surface, usually coarse-grained like granite.
What are extrusive igneous rocks?
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What is magma?
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What is sedimentary rock?
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What is weathering?
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What is deposition?
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What are compaction and cementation?
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What are sediments?
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What is metamorphic rock?
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What is contact metamorphism?
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What is regional metamorphism?
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What does fine-grained mean?
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What does coarse-grained mean?
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What is clastic rock?
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What is chemical rock?
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What is organic rock?
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What does foliated mean?
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What does nonfoliated mean?
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Study Notes
The Rock Cycle
- A continuous process involving igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
- Constructive forces create new igneous rock, while destructive forces break down rocks into sediments.
- Rocks can be pushed underground where heat and pressure transform them into metamorphic rock.
Igneous Rock
- Formed from the cooling of lava and magma.
- Divided into two types: intrusive and extrusive.
Intrusive Igneous Rock
- Cools slowly beneath the Earth’s surface.
- Characterized by coarse grains; example: granite.
Extrusive Igneous Rock
- Cools quickly above the Earth’s surface.
- Typically fine-grained; example: obsidian.
Magma and Lava
- Represents melted rock from any rock type, essential to the formation of igneous rocks.
Sedimentary Rock
- Formed from sediments through natural processes that glue them together.
- Includes clastic, chemical, and organic types.
Weathering and Erosion
- Natural processes that wear away and transport rock materials.
Deposition
- The process of dropping sediments carried by various forces.
Compaction and Cementation
- Processes that compress and bond sediments into solid rock.
Sediments
- Composed of small bits of fossils, rock fragments, and plant remains.
Metamorphic Rock
- Created when any rock type undergoes heating and pressure, altering its minerals.
Contact Metamorphism
- Occurs when rocks are heated by nearby magma, leading to metamorphism without melting.
Regional Metamorphism
- Involves high pressure acting on rocks without significant heat, changing them into different rock types.
Fine-grained Rock
- Rocks with very small, often invisible grains to the eye; example: obsidian.
Coarse-grained Rock
- Rocks with large, visible grains; example: granite.
Clastic Sedimentary Rock
- Composed of fragments of other rocks; example: shale.
Chemical Sedimentary Rock
- Formed from minerals crystallizing from water solutions; example: chemical limestone.
Organic Sedimentary Rock
- Made from remains of living organisms; example: coal.
Foliated Metamorphic Rock
- Features minerals aligned in thin, flat layers; example: slate.
Nonfoliated Metamorphic Rock
- Contains minerals without a specific pattern; example: marble.
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Test your knowledge of the rock cycle with these flashcards. Explore the definitions of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, as well as the processes that change one into another. Perfect for geology enthusiasts and students alike!