Processes that lead to formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamporphic rocks

Sedimentary rocks are formed as a result of accumulation of mineral particles called

sediments. the sediments are gotten as a result of wethering and erosion from parent rocks .

after weathering, the minersals are deposited in layers and oveerr the years, the layers layers

called strata are solidified and this leads to formation of sedimentary rocks.i gneous rocks on

the othe hand are formed due to volcanic activities on the surface of the earth. When hot

magma flows through vents and onto the earth surface, it is lighter than the exising rocks

hence it settles on top of the rocks. The magma then cools and solidifies and this leads to the

formation of igneous rocks. Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are subjected

to intense heat and pressure which leads them to change their form.

Partial melting and geological process that led to melting

The mante is compossed of different minerals wich have different melting points due

to their different composition. Therefore, when intense heat and pressure occurs to the

minerals, those with a lower melting point melt faster and they become lighter. In turn, the

melted minerals begine to rise through vents where they are cooled faster . finaly, magma that

has difeerent composition material to the mantle is formed. Thus, the selective melting of

minerals in the mantle is refered to as partial melting.

The range of chemical compositions of magmas

Magma is a hot molten micture of minerals that is found below the earths surface due

to hig temperatures and pressure. While magma maily consists of minerals, it also has some

gasses ie sulphur and carbon IV oxide which gives it its explosive nature. In addition, the

mineral components of magma have led to three ways in which magma can be classified. The

first being basaltic magma which is high in iron and magnesium but low on potasium,
followed by andesitic which has moderate amounts of minerals. Lastly we have rhyolitic

magma which has high components of potassium and sodium but low components of iron and

magnesium.

The processes that take place during the cooling and crystallization of magma, and the

typical order of crystallization according to the Bowen reaction series

The Bowen reaction series is a ground breaking experiment that shows the order by

which crystalisiation occurs as a result of a decrease in temperatures. As magma which is

composed of different minerals cools of, the minerals with lower boiling points cools off

faster and are crystalised. One such silicate mineral is the olivine which crystalises first. The

crysal olivine then reacts with some of the remaining silicon in the magma to form the

mineral pyroxene. As long as the conditions are right ie, there is silicon in the magma and the

temperatures continues to drop, the reaction continues with pyroxene forming amphibole

which futher forms biotite.

How magma composition can be changed by fractional crystallization and partial

melting of the surrounding rocks

Dirrerent mineral components in the magma have different melting points.therefore,

when magma cools off due to low temperatures, the minerals crystalise depending on their

melting points. Therefore, when the solidified rocks are removed from the magma, the

magma will have different mineral composition from the original magma,

Igneous rock classification based on mineral proportions

Igeous rocks are formed as a result of solidification of magma on the earths crust.

Such magma contains different mineral components such as silica and this can be used to

classify the igeneous rocks. Igneous rocks which have a high amounts of silica upon
crystalisation are called acidic rocks.susequently, rocks with a silica content of about 45% ate

known as basic igneous rocks. Finally, rocks with less than 45% silica composition are called

ultra basic igneous rocks.

origins of phaneritic, porphyritic, and pegmatitic textures

When magma extudes the surface of the aeath and forms lava, the lava cools off and

forms igneous rocks. the cooling off of lava takes place in different phases and this leads to

formation ofdifferent textures of rocs.when the lava cools off slowly, rocks with learge

crystals are. Such rocks have the phaneritic textures. However sometimes thr lava cools off

quickly and the crystals are not properly formed making the rocks to have porphyritic

properties. In other cases the lava may crystalise at a very slow rate forming masses of

transparent and very large crystals which have a pegmatitic texture.

relationships between plate tectonics, the formation of magma, and volcanism

Tectonic plates on the earths crust and upper mantle constantly move throught the

year.sometimes the plates move towards ach other leading to convergent plate tectonic or

away from each other leading to divergent plate tectonic. In the case convergent plate

techtonics, the plates converge and the denser plate moved below the more lighter plate. S the

denser plate subducts, more pressure and temperature forces its upper mantle to melt and

form volcanic materials. These volcanic materials then percolates the crevices and vents and

erupts as volcanos.on the other hand, divergent plate tectonic leads to creation of cracks

which allow magma to escape and form volcanic features..

The range of magma compositions formed in differing tectonic environments, and

discuss the relationship between magma composition (and gas content) and eruption

style
 Magma consists of several types of gasse ie sulphur and carbon iv oxide. These gasses

exists in the magma in liquid states due to the high pressure. As the magma begins to rise

through fissures on the earths surface, the pressure inthe gasses reduces making them to form

separate gass phases. Consecuently, the increased gass volume and a reduction in pressure

gives the magma its eruptive character.

Types of hazards posed to people and to infrastructure by the different types of

volcanic eruptions    

Volcanic eruptions pose different hazards to people and to the environment. When

these volcanic eruptions occur, they lead to a release of harmful gasses like sulphur to the

atmosphere. These gasses lead to different respiratory diseases. In addition, volcanic

eruptions sometimes lead to formation of pyroclastic flows that burn and bury everything in

their paths leading to death of crops and destruction of infrastructures.