ROCKS

Petrology is the scientific study of rocks. Rocks are combined aggregation of minerals.
Petrologist classified rocks based on how they were formed. In general, rocks are
classified as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock.

Earth is a solid rock to a depth of 2,900 kilometers, where mantle meets the liquid outer
core. A rock is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of one or more minerals. The
aggregate minerals forming the rocks are held together by chemical bonds. Grains can
be different in color, texture, and sizes. Geologists then group rocks into three
categories based on how the rocks form: igneous sedimentary and metamorphic rock.
Petrology is the scientific study of rocks. Petrologists classify rocks based on how they
were formed.

Three types of Rocks

Igneous- formed from hardening and crystallization of magma or molten material that
originates deep within the earth.

What are Igneous Rock Made of

Igneous rock can look different and have many different compositions, depending on
how quickly they cool and solidify. For example, two rocks from identical magma can
become either granite or rhyolite. Nevertheless, most igneous rocks are mainly
composed of silicate minerals. The presence of igneous rocks in an area might be
evidence of a past volcano.

Types: Where and How are they Formed

Igneous rocks are of two main categories based on where the molten rock solidifies.
They are named and described below.

Two types of igneous rock:

A. Extrusive/Volcanic rock - forms when magma makes its way to Earth’s surface as
lava and then cools. The crystals are very small (fine grained) since the cooling process
is fast.
 B. Intrusive/Plutonic - It cools slowly beneath the Earth surface and are created by
magma. The intrusive igneous rocks have very large crystals (coarse grained).

Properties and Characteristics

1. Coarse-grained that are big enough to be seen with the naked eye

2. Uniform texture

3. Shiny, flat crystals whose edges interlock and fit together like jigsaw puzzle pieces

4. Hard
Igneous rocks are classified based on
1. Composition FELSIC - light in color; feldspar and silicates
MAFIC - dark in color; made up of magnesium and iron INTERMEDIATE –
between mafic and felsic
ULTRAMAFIC - very dark color
2. Texture- overall appearance of rock
Aphanistic - fine grained
Phaneritic- coarse grained
Porphyritic- large crystals with small crystals
Glassy- non-ordered solid from rapid quenching
Pyroclastic- composite of ejected fragments
Examples: Obsidian, pumice, basalt, granite, diorite, gabbro
Sedimentary rocks provide information about surface conditions that existed in the
Earth’s past.
● Particles of sand, shells, pebbles, and other fragments of materials called sediments,
accumulate in layers and over long period of time harden into rocks.
● Compaction-due to increase of pressure of layered sediments it bind together to form
the sedimentary rocks.

What are Sedimentary Rocks Made of

They are made from deposits of preexisting rocks or remains of once-living organisms
due to the compression of ocean sediments and other processes. Sedimentary rocks
develop in beds or strata that are layers of rocks with a uniform lithology and texture.
Common sedimentary rock structures include bedding, ripple marks, fossil tracks and
trails, and mud cracks.

Where are they Found

Sedimentary rocks are located on or near the Earth’s surface. They are commonly
found near sources of water, like riverbeds, oceans, ponds, and coasts. Sedimentary
rocks are also found in deserts and caves.
 How are Sedimentary Rocks Formed

Several geologic processes together form sedimentary rocks. The steps involved in the
process are discussed below in order:

1. Weathering: Involves breaking of more giant rocks into smaller ones due to wind and
water. Weathering can transform boulders and even mountains into sediments such as
sand and mud. Dissolution is a chemical weathering process where partially acidic
water wears away solid rocks.

2. Erosion: The weathered materials are worn away and transported by natural forces
such as wind, water, ice, or gravity. Erosion starts the transportation process.

3. Transportation: The actual movement of eroded materials from their original position
to different places. Transportation occurs due to natural forces such as wind, water, ice,
or gravity.

4. Deposition: Next, the sediments, soil, or rocks are added to the preexisting landform
or landmass. Deposition occurs when the energy of the transportation medium becomes
too low to transport sediment.
5. Precipitation: The deposited sediments then form rocks and minerals from chemicals
that precipitate from water. As the water dries up, it leaves behind mineral deposits.

6. Lithification (Diagenesis): Clay, sand, and other sediments on the bottom of the water
bodies become sedimentary rock when slowly compacted into rocks from the weight of
overlying sediments. Lithification releases moisture, thus reducing the pore space of the
sediments, making the sedimentary rock compact. This process is also
called compaction.

7. Cementation: Finally, salt crystals glue the layers together to form a compact
sedimentary rock.

Three types of sedimentary rocks

a. Clastic Sedimentary rock - formed from accumulation of clasts: little pieces of broken
rocks and shells. Examples: conglomerate, breccia, sandstone, shale b. chemical -
formed when dissolved minerals precipitate from a solution. Example: Halite - formed
when a body of seawater becomes closed off and evaporates.
c. Organic - rocks formed from the accumulation of animal debris Example: Coal -
composed of organic matter in the form of plants fragments.
 Metamorphic - forms from pre-existing rocks: either metamorphic, igneous, sedimentary
Examples: Quartzite, marble, slate, phyllite
What are Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic rocks form due to the transformation of preexisting rocks in response to

environmental changes such as heat, high pressure, and mechanical stress. The parent
rock can be sedimentary, igneous, or even a different sort of metamorphic rock. The
process of these changes is called metamorphism. The word ‘metamorphic’ is derived
from Greek and means ‘To Change Form’.

Metamorphism - transformation of one rock type into another.

Where are they Found

Most metamorphic rocks are found in mountain ranges where high pressures squeeze
the rocks together. They pile up to form ranges such as the Himalayas, Alps, and the
Rocky mountains. Metamorphic rocks form deep in the core of these mountain ranges.
The ribbon-like layers are common property in all metamorphic rocks.

Types

Metamorphic rocks are classified into two different types based on their texture, how
minerals align in the newly formed rock.

1. Foliated Sedimentary Rocks

Foliated rocks are rocks that possess a layered appearance. They are formed through
extreme pressure in conjugation with heat, which helps elongated minerals attain a
foliated pattern, known as foliation. This plating process creates thin layers and
directional patterns in the rocks.

Foliated Sedimentary Rocks are found in:

 Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland

 Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Maryland and West Virginia
2. Non-Foliated Sedimentary Rocks

Non-foliated rocks form much in the same way as foliated rocks under high pressure
and extreme heat conditions. The only difference is that non-foliated rocks occur when
minerals are irregular or non-elongated. Under high pressure, the minerals compress
however they do not align into sheets or platy layers.

Non-foliated Sedimentary Rocks are found in:

 Rock Creek Park, District of Columbia

 City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho

2 types of metamorphism
1. regional-due to changes in pressure and temperature over large region of the crust
2. contact-mainly by heat due to contact with magma Classification:
a. texture - refers to the size arrangement ad grains within the rock.
b. foliation - any planar arrangement of mineral grains or structural features within
the