Rock On!

Presentation by:
Maive Falconer
Ada Topaz
Rascon

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 Learning Objectives
• Explain the phases of the rock cycle and identify
the 3 main types of rocks it forms
• Identify basic rock types based on their physical
and chemical properties

Aligned with PDE standards:

S11.D.1.1.1 Classify and describe major types of rocks
(i.e., igneous – granite, basalt, obsidian, pumice;
sedimentary – limestone, sandstone, shale, coal; and
metamorphic – slate, quartzite, marble, gneiss) and
minerals (e.g., quartz, calcite, dolomite, clay, feldspar,
mica, halite, pyrite) by their origin and formation.

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 What is a Rock?
• Definition: a solid mass of mineral or
mineral-like matter that occurs naturally
• 3 main types: igneous, sedimentary,
metamorphic
• Basic characteristics for identification:
texture, mineral composition, color

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 Rock Cycle Processes
• The rock cycle describes the continuous
processes that cause rocks to change and form
• These processes include:
Erosion
Deposition
Heat and pressure
Melting
Volcanic activity
Cooling

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 The Rock Cycle
Cooling –
Erosion –
As magma &
surface rock
lava rise toward
is broken down
the surface, they
into sediments by wind, water
cool & solidify, forming
chemicals, & biological activity
Igneous Rock
Molten rock beneath the
surface is called
“magma.” When magma
reaches the surface
through volcanic vent it is
called “lava.”
Melting – Deposition –
increased pressure & Sediments are
heat deep inside the dropped by wind or water,
earth causes the then compacted
rock to melt, forming and cemented, forming
molten (liquid) rock Sedimentary Rock

Extreme heat & As layers of sedimentary rock

pressure beneath surface build
transform sedimentary rocks to up, older layers are pushed down
Metamorphic Rock beneath the earth’s surface

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 Basic properties used in rock identification
1.)Texture – arrangement of materials in the rock as follows:
• Crystalline – size and placement of visible crystals within the rock
• Frothy or Vesicular – rock contains pores, spaces or vesicles
• Glassy – shiny, solid (non-crystalline) glassy texture
• Fine or course grained – fragments in the rock are visible (course grained)
or can only be seen with a hand lens (fine grained)
• Layered – rock has visible evidence of layers
• Banded – layers within the rock show distinctive differences in thickness,
color or texture.
2.) Composition – minerals and other materials that form the rock
• Specific types of minerals and mineral compounds
• Form of the minerals (whole pieces, dissolved, precipitated particles)
• Fossils
• Clay

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 Comparison of Basic Rock Types
Property Igneous
Origin Extrusive – on surface
Intrusive – beneath surface
Texture Extrusive – large crystals,
course grain,
Intrusive – small crystals,
fine grained or glassy
extrusive - fine
Banding indicates varied
age and rates of cooling
Major Composition Granitic –, light colored
silicate minerals
features
Basaltic – dark colored
silicate minerals
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Sedimentary
Clastic – formed from physically
weathered sediment
Chemical – formed from mineral
precipitates
Clastic – crystal and grain
depend on mineral composition
and can vary greatly within the
same rock
Chemical – most are fine
grained w/ small crystals (i.e..
limestone, chalk, coquina,
bituminous coal). Those made
from quartz, gypsum, halite and
NaCL can have course texture
w/ large crystals.
Clastic – clay minerals and
quartz
Chemical – Calcite, CaC03,
Quartz, Gypsum, Halite, NaCl,
altered plant fragments
Metamorphic
Foliated – magma moves into
rock and cools
Nonfoliated – magma forms
into a solid mineral vein
Foliated:
Slate – very fine grain,
smooth dull surface
Phyllite – fine grain w/ glossy
surface
Schist – med. to course
grain w/ layering
Gneiss – med to course
grain w/ banding
Nonfoliated:
Marble – med to course
interlocking grains
Quartzite – med. to course
fused grains
Anthracite – fine grained
shiny/glassy texture
Foliated – shale, slate, granite,
volcanic rock
Nonfoliated – limestone,
quartz, bituminous coal
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 Sedimentary Rock

sandstone
conglomerate Coral

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 Igneous Rock

Feldspar

Peridot

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 Metamorphic Rock

Non-foliated
(anthracite)

Foliated

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