Earth Science

Rocks can be classified

based on their differences in
texture and composition.
Texture – size, shape, and
arrangement of mineral grains
and other constituents in a
rock.
Igneous
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
 Igneous rocks are either
crystalline (formed from
cooled magma or lava) or
pyroclastic (made of
consolidated eruption
products like volcanic ash)
Pyroclastic is derived
from the Greek pyro
which means “fire”
and klastos which
means “shattered”.
Are formed from the cooling
and solidification of magma
or lava.
Derived from Latin word
igneus – which means “fiery”
or “on fire”.
1. Below the surface, from slowly
cooling magma
Formation of crystals that are
visible to the naked eye
They are called intrusive or
plutonic (they cool underneath
the surface as plutons)
Ex. Granite, diorite, and syenite
 The resulting texture is called
phaneritic, from the Greek
phaneros meaning “visible”.
 In case minerals crystallize
very slowly at depth, a
pegmatitic texture is one
composed of very large
crystals (larger than 2 to 3
cm).
2. On the surface, from rapidly
cooling lava
Formation of very small crystals
that may not be visible.
They are called extrusive or
volcanic (extruded during
volcanic eruptions
Ex. Basalt, andesite and rhyolite
Exhibit aphanitic textures.
Derived from the Greek
aphaneros which means
“invisible”.
Exhibit vesicular texture –
result of gases escaping
while the volcanic rock is
being formed.
3. On the surface, from the
consolidation of particle
erupted by explosive volcanic
activity
Solidify as small ash or as large as
basketballs
Exhibit porphyritic texture –in
relatively fine-grained base
When this particles come together
on the surface via lithification,
they form pyroclastic igneous
rocks .
Ex. Ignimbrite (adobe), tuff, and
volcanic breccia
Pyroclastic rocks is a hybrid of
igneous and sedimentary
processes.
Products of lithification of
particles produced by
weathering of other preexisting
rocks.
Have parent materials derived
from older igneous,
metamorphic and even
sedimentary rocks.
May also be comprised of
mineral fragments and organic
material or minerals that
precipitate from solutions. This
components are called
sediments from Latin
sedentarius meaning “sitting”.
1. Clastic – from cementation of
sediments that have been
deposited, buried, and
compacted over a long period
of time
Ex. Shale, sandstone and
conglomerate
2. Crystalline– from the
precipitation of minerals from
ions in solution (rocks that
are exposed to water and
oxygen and experience
chemical change such as
oxidation and hydrolysis
through time)
3. Bioclastic – when it forms as the
result of the accumulation of
organic material or biologic
activity. It may contain remnants
of plants, corals, shell or fossil
fragments.
Ex. Coquina and organic
limestone
1. Clay or Silt is less that 1/16
mm. Not visible to the naked
eye.
2. Sand grains are between 1/16
to 2mm.
3. Gravel have sizes that are
greater than 2 mm.
Form when preexisting or
parent rocks are altered by
heat, pressure and
chemical activity of
fluids. The process is
called metamorphism,
meaning “change in form”.
1. Regional Metamorphism – The
dominant factor is pressure due to
tectonic activity. This result to a
layered or banded appearance in
the rocks called foliation, and these
type of rocks are called foliated
metamorphic rocks. From the
Latin folium which means “leaf”.
Ex. slate and schist
2. Contact Metamorphism – when
the dominant factor is heat,
usually from direct contact
between an older rock material
and intruding body of magma. It
results in rocks like marble and
quartzite that are called
nonfoliated metamorphic rocks.
1. Dynamic metamorphism-
when the dominant factor is
faulting
2. Shock metamorphism –
when the dominant factor is
the meteorite impact