ROCK FORMATION

A rock is defined as any mineral material of the earth. The earth’s crust consists of rocks. A
rock may be a combination of different elements such as silica which contains silicon and
oxygen.

Types of rocks

All rocks are classified into three major types:

Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, based on their origin, mode of formation and
appearance.

All these rock differ from one another in texture, structure, colour, permeability, mode of
occurrence and the degree of resistance to denudation

IGNEOUS ROCKS

Characteristics

i.Igneous rocks are glassy in appearance.

ii.Igneous rocks are crystalline in structure, that is, they contain crystals.

iii.They do not occur in layers that is, they are non-stratified rocks.

iv.They do not contain fossils.

v.They are usually very hard and impervious.

vi.They are resistant to erosion and other elements of climate

vii.They are light and dark in colour

Mode of Formation

Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling and solidification of molten rocks called magma
ejected from beneath the earth’s crust. The Magma, which results from high temperature
and pressure beneath the earth, forces itself towards the earth’s surface through cracks. As
the magma moves towards the surface, it comes in contact with lower temperature; hence, it
 cools and solidifies to form igneous rocks,

Types of Igneous Rocks

There are two types of igneous rocks which are:

(a) Plutonic (or instrusive) igneous rocks: These are rocks formed when the molten magma
cools and solidifies slowly before it gets to the surface of the earth to form large crystals. As
a result of prolonged erosion, the plutonic igneous rocks will later be exposed to the surface.
Examples of plutonic igneous rocks are granite, gabbro and diorite.

(b) Volcanic (extrusive) igneous rocks:

These rocks are formed when the molten magma cools and solidifies rapidly on getting to
the surface of the earth to form small crystals. An example of volcanic igneous rock is
basalt.

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

Characteristics of Sedimentary Rocks

i.They occur in layers or strata or sheets.

ii.The rocks are coarse in texture

iii.They do not exist in crystals, i.e, they are non-crystalline in structure.

iv.They contain fossils of plants and animals.

v.They are not resistant to erosion.

vi.They are soft.

vii.They react with weak acid e.g. dilute HCL

Mode of Formation

Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments deposited either by water, by wind or by ice.
These sediments are accumulated in layers or strata, one on top of the other and after a
long period of time, they become hardened by compression to form sedimentary rocks.
 Sedimentary rocks are stratified rocks and the plane between two strata is called bedding
plane.

Types of Sedimentary Rocks

There are three types of sedimentary rocks, based on their process of formation. These are:

(a) Mechanically-formed Sedimentary Rocks

These are formed from sediments of other rocks that have accumulated and cemented
together over a long period of time. Examples include: sandstone, breccias, shale, clay and
conglomerate.

(b) Organically-formed Sedimentary Rocks

These are rocks formed from the remains of living organisms. When sedimentary rocks are
formed from the remains of animals like corals or fish shells, such rocks are called
calcareous rocks, e.g, limestone and chalk. But when sedimentary rocks are formed from
the remains of vegetable matter such as swamps and forest, they are called carbonaceous
rocks. Examples include, coal, peat, lignite, petroleum, etc.

(c) Chemically-formed Sedimentary Rocks

These rocks are precipitated chemically from rock solutions. Examples include potash,
sodium chloride (common salt), nitrate, gypsum and dolomite.

METAMORPHIC ROCKS

Characteristics of Metamorphic Rocks

i.Some may occur in layers or strata.

ii.The rocks may be hard or soft.

iii.They are non-crystalline in structure.

iv.They exist in different colours and texture.

v.They may contain fossils.

 Mode of Formation

Metamorphic rocks are changed rocks. The rocks are formed from pre-existing igneous or
sedimentary rocks which have been changed as a result of great heat and pressure. The
original character and appearance may be greatly altered or changed by such forces.
Examples of metamorphic rocks include slate, marble, quartzite, gnesis, schist and graphite.
For example, slate is formed from clay; marble is formed from limestone; quartzite is formed
from sandstone; gneiss is formed from granite; schist is formed from shale and graphite is
formed from coal.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF ROCKS IN AGRICULTURE

1.Formation of soil: Soil is formed from the disintegration of rocks.

2.Sources of plant nutrients: Plant nutrients like iron, calcium, potassium, etc are derived
from rocks.

3.Construction purpose: Some rocks like granite and sand stones are quarried and used for
road and farm building construction

4.Erosion control: Rocks are used to make a pile up across sloppy lands to prevent soil
erosion.

5.Obstacles to farm implements: Rocks are generally a source of hindrance to the free
operations of farm implements.

6.Domestic uses: Some rocks like granites are used for domestic purposes. An example is
grinding stone.

7.Sources of metals: Rocks are sources of metals which are derived from mines, e.g. gold
silver, copper, aluminum etc

8.As Ornamentals: Some beautiful rocks such as marble can be polished as ornamentals for
decorating floors, walls of buildings, churches, etc.

9.Sources of fuel: Sedimentary rocks like petroleum and coal are sources of fuel for
domestic, commercial and industrial purposes.

10.Sources of Food: Rock-salt, such as sodium chloride (table salt) from sedimentary rocks,
provides minerals used in cooking our food.

11.Sources of Minerals: Some rocks are sources of minerals such as gold, diamond,
limestone, petroleum, etc. which can generate income to the nation.
 12.Raw Materials for industries: Some sedimentary rocks are used as raw materials for
industries. For example limestone is used for making cement. Dolomite and marble are
used to manufacture glasses and house paints.