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Our world is made of rocks. We use them on a daily basis, usually by walking or driving
on them (or on some crushed and reconstituted version thereof). Our homes and office buildings
are often made of rock materials;- bricks as refired clays, walls as reworked gypsum, dining
utensils such as plates, cups and saucers (pottery, ceramic and china), counter tops and floors as
slabs of rocks of various origins. Rocks are aggregates of different mineral grains and can be
divided into three major families or rock groupings.
Rocks are mixtures, or aggregates, of different minerals. They are divided into three
categories based on how different rocks are formed: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
TYPES OF ROCKS
First are the Igneous (or "fire-formed") Rocks, usually created by outpourings from
various volcanoes or by cooling deep under the crust. Ultimately, even deeply buried rocks
are exposed to surface weathering and break down into their constituent minerals. These mineral
grains are removed as sediment and are transported by gravity, wind, ice and water to a place of
deposition where they accumulate, normally as marine sediments. The sediments, whether
marine or terrestrial, become compressed and are often invaded by cementing agencies carried
by percolating water. They are then lithified - turned from loose grains back to solid rock - for
Sedimentary rocks suffer one of two fates. They can be weathered, broken down
again into constituent grains and recycled as sediments, or they can be still more deeply
buried, heated and involved in different types of tectonic movement. The associated heat and
pressure together with circulating fluids modify and change these former sedimentary rocks into
a third group known as the Metamorphic Rocks. Incidentally igneous rocks and earlier
metamorphic rocks can also be modified or re-modified in the same fashion if they are involved
in similar Earth movements. Schists, gneisses and marbles are examples of metamorphic rocks.
The study of igneous rock is an imperative window that permits understanding of the
process occurring deep within the Earth. Igneous rocks pioneer the other two rock types for the
reason that they come from a source melt (magma). Ultimately, any rock (regardless of its type)
will trace back it lineage to an igneous one.
Sedimentary Rocks: Rocks from Sediments
Sedimentary rocks originate when particles settle out of water or air, or by precipitation
of minerals from water. They accumulate in layers. Sedimentary rocks are made up of pieces of
older rocks (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary) and organic remains (shells, bone, etc.).
When rocks break apart from erosion they are transported by rivers and streams to lakes and
oceans. As the sediment piles up it is compressed and heated in the Earth. Eventually, the high
pressures and temperatures lithify the loose sediment into a sedimentary rock.
Sedimentary rocks are formed from pieces of other existing rock or organic material.
There are three different types of sedimentary rocks: clastic, organic (biological),
and chemical. Clastic sedimentary rocks, like sandstone, form from clasts, or pieces of other
rock. Organic sedimentary rocks, like coal, form from hard, biological materials like plants,
shells, and bones that are compressed into rock.
ROCK CYCLE
The Rock Cycle is a group of changes. Igneous rock forms when magma cools and
makes crystals. Magma is a hot liquid made of melted minerals. The minerals can form crystals
when they cool. Igneous rock can form underground, where the magma cools slowly. Or,
igneous rock can form above ground, where the magma cools quickly.
When it pours out on Earth's surface, magma is called lava. Yes, the same liquid rock
matter that you see coming out of volcanoes.
GEOLOGIC PROCESSES
The crust is made of a variety of solid rocks like sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.
It has an average density of 2.8 g/cm3 and its thickness ranges from 5 to 50 km. The crust is
thickest in a part where a relatively young
mountain is present and thinnest along the ocean
floor.
At diverging or rift zones igneous rocks are formed. Sedimentary rocks will form if the area is
submerged, like in the mid-Atlantic rift zone. Metamorphic rocks can be formed as the plates
move the rocks apart, but it will be only localized. At transform or slip-slide boundaries
metamorphic rocks form.
Sedimentary rocks form as an overlay to all these plate interactions.
Activity:
1. Thailand is known for this famous rock type that is just up hundreds of feet above
crystal clear waters. What rock type is this? Why do you think so?
are the "recyclers" of the rock cycle, they take any other
rock and turn it into a new one. are the "new kids" in the
rock cycle. They're the new rock on the block, ready to start fresh.
are the "change makers" of the rock cycle. They take what was once a rock and change it
into a new rock.
Evaluation: You may opt to draw the figure or print this page.
1. Locate where igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are formed. Color the igneous
rock areas red, the sedimentary rock areas yellow, and the metamorphic rock areas green.
Additional Readings:
https://www.learner.org/wp-content/interactive/rockcycle/rockdiagram/
References:
Books
Refran, et al (2016) Earth Science.Quezon City, Philippines. Vibal Group Inc. pp. 20-28
Seeds, M.A. & Backman, D. (2016) Earth Science. Manila, Phillipines. Rex Bookstore, Inc. pp. 109-142
Website
Rock Cycle - Rocks (4) https://www.msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/rc/rocks/5/rcr5_1d.html