ROCKS

1. Rocks are the solid material made of minerals forming part of the surface of the earth and
other similar planets, exposed on the surface or underlying the soil or oceans.
2. Three types of rocks are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
3. An igneous rock is formed by the cooling and crystallization of molten rock. The term
igneous is derived from ignius, the Latin word for fire. Scientists have divided igneous
rocks into two broad categories based on where the molten rock solidified.
A. Types of Igneous Rocks

A.1. Volcanic rocks (also called extrusive igneous rocks) include all the products
resulting from eruptions of lava (flows and fragmented debris called pyroclasts).

A.2. Plutonic rocks (also called intrusive igneous rocks) are those that have solidified
below ground; plutonic comes from Pluto, the Greek god of the underworld.

 Volcanic and plutonic rocks are divided further on the basis of chemistry and mineral
composition.
 These rock types all have different characteristics, including temperature when fluid,
viscosity (resistance to flow), composition, explosiveness, and types, amounts, and sizes
of minerals.

B. Types of Sedimentary Rocks

B.1 Detrital Sedimentary Rocks These rocks consist of sediment grains derived from
the weathering and erosion of other rocks, hence the name "detritus" (Latin for loose material
derived from disintegration). They are by far the most abundant of the sedimentary
rocks. Common detrital rocks are shale, sandstone and conglomerate.

B.2. Chemical Sedimentary Rocks These rocks are composed mostly of mineral
crystals that form and settle (precipitate) from water, either lakes, the ocean, or
groundwater. They are extremely valuable to industry. Common chemical rocks are rock salt,
rock gypsum and chemical limestone.

B.3. Biological Sedimentary Rocks These rocks contain significant amounts of

biologic material, usually in the form of fossil fragments that were originally deposited on the
ocean floor. Examples of such rocks are coquina and chalk, which are types
of limestones. Heating of biologic material can cause it to slowly alter into useful forms of
petroleum. Examples of such rocks are oil shale and coal.

C. Types of Metamorphic Rocks

C.1. Foliated Metamorphic Rocks

Foliated metamorphic rocks are formed from direct exposure to pressure and heat. They are the
most vital and largest groupings of metamorphic rocks. Foliated metamorphic rocks have four
distinguishable types of aligned textures and they normally have a banded or layered
appearance. Examples include slate, gneiss, and schist.

C.2. Non-foliated Metamorphic Rocks

Non-foliated metamorphic rocks do not have a banded or layered appearance. Non-foliated are
formed as a result of tectonic movements or direct pressure which makes their formation highly
dependent on their pre-existing conditions.
The extensively known example of non-foliated metamorphic rock is marble. Other examples
include quartzite, hornfels, and novaculite.