Lesson 4: Classification of Rocks Objectives: Inthis lesson, you will learn te: 1. Define the three different categories of rocks formed 2._Deseribe each type of rock, Categories of Rocks 's properties and how In the last module, we got an idea of materials and resources that can be found on Earth. One of the most abundant materials that can be found in our planet toda} everywhere, and they come i rocks. Rocks occur variety of sizes, shapes, and compositions. Rocks are classified into three different categories: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. This modules going to tackle the igneous rock, how itis formed, and its properties. Igneous Rock Igneous rock originated from the Latin word ignis, which means “fire”. This explains a lot about how this type of rock is formed: itis formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, Igneous rocks are the starting point in the rock cycle. That is, the materials that make up ‘the other twa types of racks, the sedimentary and metamorphic racks, are derived from a source ‘thats igneous. Igneous rocks ere found on the earths mantle. It can be said that 70% of the earths mass and 80% of the earth’s volume consists of mantle rocks. Igneous rocks are derived from the convection in the earth’s mantle, and the source of heat eneray for this convection is found in the radioactive isotopes of potassium, uranium, and thorium. The types of rocks thet contribute to ‘the amount of energy in terms of heat energy per unit mass are granites. Peridotites do not contribute much heat. Therefore, the former makes up much of the crustal rocks. The internal heat of the earth may have come from the radioactive decay of potassium. One obvious consequence of the heat in the earths interior is the presence of volcano on the earths surface. Volcanic rocks are products of volcanoes and they have three important characteristics: 1) they crystallize in the surface of the earth; 2) they are commonly fine-grained; and 3) they rest on top of older rocks rather than cut across them. Volcanic rocks are an example of igneous rocks, which are formed from an exathermic process. These rocks start out in the liquid ‘state and then become solid. Types of Igneous rocks Igneous rocks are classified into two types: extrusive and intrusive. Extrusive igneous ‘rocks include all the products resulting from eruptions of lava. Intrusive igneous racks, on the other hand, are those that have solidified below ground.Extrusive Igneous rock (Voleanic rock) The obsidian, an extrusive igneous rock, forms when molten rock material cools so rapidly that atoms are unable to arrange themselves into a crystalline structure. © geology.com Extrusive igneous rocks are also known as volcanic rocks. This is because they form when ‘the magma reaches the Earth's surface through a volcanic eruption, cools down and solidifies quickly to form into a rock, Since they are on the surface, they tend to cool down quickly and end up with smaller or fine grains. Examples of extrusive igneous rocks are obsidian (see image above), basalt, rhyolite, and andesite. Intrusive Igneous Rock (Plutonic rock) The granite (right) is a light-colored plutonic rock with grains large enough to be seen by the naked eye. it is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals. © geology.co Intrusive igneous rocks are also known as Plutonic rocks, after the Greek god of the is because they have solidified below ground. Since they have solidified below ground, they tend to have larger grains compared to extrusive igneous rocks. Examples of plutonic rocks are Gabbro, Diorite, Granodiarite, and Granite (see picture above). underworld. ThiSedimentary Rocks While igneous rocks are created from the cooling of magma, sedimentary rocks are classified as secondary rocks because they come from igneous rocks. Sedimentary rocks are formed when the silicate materials in igneous rocks undergo changes and break down, a process ‘which is called weathering. Sedimentary are also secondary because they come from the aggregation of pebbles and ‘sand that have been compacted over time to form rocks. In sedimentary rock, there are three ‘types of grains: coarse, medium, and fine, These grains are classified depending on the size of the grains. Classific jon of Sedimentary Rocks Sedimentary rocks are also classified into three types: clastic, chemical, and organic (or biogenic). Clastic rocks are basic sedimentary rocks and they have been created from “clasts” ‘which are little pieces of rocks that have been compacted and cemented to become larger pieces. Left: The breccia, a type of clastic sedimentary rock, consists of large angular fragments Clastic sedimentary rocks are formed due to the pressure of two or more rocks pressed ‘together and compacted. The individual sand grains are glued together by minerals such as calcite (calcium carbonate) and hematite iron oxide) thet are precipitated out of ground water that ‘travels between sand grains. Clastic rocks vary in size, shape, and the rack pieces which they are made of. There are various types of clastic sedimentary rocks. Conglomerate, Breccia, Sandstone Siltstone, and Shale are clastic sedimentary rocks that come in different particle sizes.Chemical rocks are formed when water evaporates. ‘Simply put, they are created through the process of chemical precipitation, If clastic sedimentary racks are mainly af components that have been transported as solid clasts, chemical sedimentary rocks are mostly made of components that have been transported as ions in solution. Chemical rocks come in different types: limestone, chert and banded iron formations, and rocks that form when bodies of water evaporate, also known as evaporites. OF all these chemical sedimentary rocks, the most common would be limestone, which is commonly formed in the oceans. This rock salt (above) is an example of an evaporite. It crystallizes as the water continuously evaporates. Organic sedimentary rocks are rocks that contain shell fragments or fossils. They owe their existence to biological processes forming from the accumulation of plant or animal debris. ‘When the remains of living organisms are deposited in thick layers and undergo the process of lthification, or the ‘compacting of sediments under pressure until they form into jentary rock. This process often takes a long time. Coal, for instance, is made up of plant remains that were squashed deep underground over millions of years. It is Organic sedimentary rocks, ike the — for this reason that itis difficult to see the plant fossils within image above, are made up of remains of coal: the plant remains have become so compact after such a ‘organisms that have been compacted for long time that the less stable materials in itare already gone, years until they became a solid rack. and all that is left would be carbon. Other examples of organic sedimentary rock are shale, lignite and certain types of limestone. Metamorphic Rock ‘When rocks are subjected to mechanical forces as well as to extreme physical conditions, ‘such as temperature, they become metamorphic rocks. This group of rocks include all other types of rocks, namely, igneous and sedimentary. Metamorphism occurs when the rocks are in the solid state, The transition between metamorphic rocks and igneous rocks are marked by the melting point of the rock. Below this melting temperature, the rock will become metamorphic.‘The mechanical deformation of racks concerns tectonic processes. The word tectonic means the mechanical processes by which racks are build up into complexities. There are two types of metamorphism: contact metamorphism and regional metamorphism. The latter applies to large sections of rock while the former applies to small sections of contact. ‘The gneiss is an example of a metamorphic rack. itis known to typically contain quartz or feldspar minerals. ‘There are two types of metamorphic rock: the foliated metamorphic rock and the non- foliated metamorphic rock. Foliated metamorphic rocks appear to have bands or layers, which are produced by exposure to heat and directed pressure. Examples of metamorphic rocks include. gneiss, phyllite, schist, and slate, Non-foliated metamorphic rocks, on the other hand, da not have a layered or banded ‘appearance. Examples of nan-foliated metamorphic rock include hornfels, marble, quartzite andReferences: Bryson, Bill. (2004). Short Histary of Nearly Everything. New York: Broadway Books. Tarbuck, €.J. & Lutgens, F.K. (2002). Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Geology.com: Geoscience News and Information. Retrieved from: http://geology.com/ Chemical Sedimentary Rocks. Retrieved from: http://ratw.asu.edu/aboutrocks chemicalsedimentary.html Earle, Steven. Physical Geology. Retrieved from: hltps://opentextbe.ca/teology/