EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE - WEEK 2 LESSON 2

ROCKS

Rock Naturally occuring solid aggregate of one or more minerals

Earth A solid rick to a depth of 2,900 kilometers, where mantle meets the liquid
outer core
Petrology The scientific study of rocks
Petrologists Classify rocks based on how they were formed
Igneous Formed from hardening and crystallization of magma or molten material
that originates deep within the earth
Extrusive/volcanic - Forms when magma makes its way to Earth’s surface as lava and
rock then cools
- The crystals are very small (fine grained) since the cooling process
is fast
Intrusive/plutonic - Cools slowly beneath the Earth surfaxe and are created by magma
- The intrusive igneous rocks have very large crystals (coarse
grained)
- Based on composition and texture
Composition Felsic, mafic, intermediate, and ultramafic
Felsic Light in color; feldspar and silicates
Mafic Dark in color; madeu p of magnesium and iron
Intermediate Between mafic and felsic
Ultramafic Very dark color
Texture - Overall appearance of rock
- Apahanistic, phaneritic, porphyritic, glassy, pyroclastic
Aphanistic Fine grained
Phaneritic Coarse grained
Porphyritic Large crystals with small crystals
Glassy Non-orderedsolid from rapid quenching
Pyroclastic - Composite of ejected fragments
- Obsidian, pumice, basalt, granite, diorite, gabbro
Metamorphic - Forms from pre-existing rocks: either metamorphic, igneous,
sedimentary
- Examples are quartzite, marble, slate, phyllite
Metamorphism - Transformation of one rock type into another
- 2 types are regional and contact
- Classfications are texture and foliation
Regional Due to changes in pressure and temperature over large region of the crust
Contact Mainly by heat due to contact with magma
Texture Refers to the size arrangement and grains within the rock
Foliation Any planar arrangement of mineral grainsor structural features within the
rock
Foliated - Appeared banded or layered, contains crystals
- Example: mica
Non-foliated Made up of only few minerals
Sedimentary rocks - Provide information about surface conditions that existed in the
Earth’s past
- Clastic, chemical, organic
Sediments Particles of sand, shells, pebbles, and other fragments of materials that
 accumulate in layers and over long period of time harden into rocks
Compaction Due to increase of pressure layered sediments it bind together to form the
sedimentary rocks
Clastic sedimentary - Formed from accumulation of clasts: little pieces of broken rocks
rock and shells
- Conglomerate, breccia, sandstone, shale
Chemical sedimentary - Formed when dissolved minerls precipiatet from a solution
rocks - Example: Halite – formed when a body of seawater becomes
closed off and evaporates
Organic - Rocks formed from the accumulation of animal debris
- Example: Coal – composed of organic matter in the form of plant
fragments
Mechanical - Breakdown of rocks into pieces without any change in its
weathering composition
- In this process, the size and shape of rocks changes and this occurs
because of the factors
Pressure Due to tectonic forces, grante may rise to form mountain range. After the
granite ascends and cools, the overlying rocks and sediments may erode, At
the point when the pressure diminishes, the rock expands, cools, and
became brittle and fractured.
Temperature Rocks expand and are fractured when exposed to high temperature.
Howeever, if the temperature drops to 0˚C (freezing point of water), it also
expands and causes fracture.
Frost wedging Generally, rocks have fracture in its surface and when water accumulates in
the crack and at that point freezes, the ice expands and breaks the rock
apart.
Abrasion The breakdown of rocks isa caused by impact and friction. This primarily
occurs during collision of rocks, sand, and silt due to current or waves along
a stream or seashore causing sharp edges and corners to wear off and
become rounded.
Organic activity The roots grow causing penetration into the crack, expand and in the long
run, break the rock.
Human activities Activities such as digging, quarrying, denuding forests and cultivitating
land contribute to physical weathering.
Burrowing animals Animals like rats, rabbits, and squirrels excavate into the ground to creare a
space for habitation.
Chemical weathering Changes in the composition of rocks due to chemical reactions
Dissolution - Occurs in specific minerals which are dissolved in water
- Examples: Halite (NaCl) and Calcite (CaCO 3)
- The formation of stalactites and stalagmites in caves are brought by
this chemical reaction.
Hydrolysis Rock-forming minerals like amphibole, pyroxene, and feldspar react with
water and form different kinds of clay minerals.
Oxidation - Response of oxygen with minerals
- If iron oxidized, the mineral in rocks decomposes.
- Rusting is an example