Da Roc ks Flashcards
(33 cards)
What are rocks?
Rocks are naturally-occurring aggregates of minerals and mineraloids.
How are rocks classified?
Rocks are classified into three main types based on how they were formed: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
What are igneous rocks?
Igneous rocks are formed when molten material cools and solidifies.
What are intrusive igneous rocks?
Intrusive igneous rocks are formed below the surface of the Earth.
What are extrusive igneous rocks?
Extrusive igneous rocks are formed on the surface of the Earth.
How can intrusive and extrusive rocks be distinguished?
They can be distinguished by the size of their mineral grains; intrusive rocks have larger crystals, while extrusive rocks have smaller crystals.
What affects the composition of igneous rocks?
The composition of igneous rocks largely depends on the type of magma or lava they form from.
What is komatiite?
Komatiite is a rare type of extrusive igneous rock that forms from extremely hot lava cooling rapidly.
What are common types of extrusive rocks?
Common types include obsidian, bombs, blocks, and volcanic ash.
What are sedimentary rocks?
Sedimentary rocks are formed from loose material called sediments that have been eroded and then buried and compacted.
What are clastic sedimentary rocks?
Clastic sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments that come from pre-existing rocks.
What are non-clastic sedimentary rocks?
Non-clastic sedimentary rocks are formed from chemical processes or the remains of living things.
What are examples of chemical sedimentary rocks?
Common examples include halite, gypsum, flint, chert, travertine, umber, and limestone.
What are biochemical sedimentary rocks?
Biochemical sedimentary rocks are composed of the remains of living things, such as shells and plant fragments.
What are biochemical sedimentary rock examples?
Coquina, Fossiliferous Limestone, chalk, and coal
What is a protolith?
A protolith is the original rock that is altered to form a metamorphic rock.
What are foliated rocks?
Foliated rocks are characterized by a planar arrangement of mineral grains.
What are non-foliated rocks?
Non-foliated rocks develop in environments with minimal deformation and are altered by chemically-active fluids.
What are common examples of non-foliated rocks?
Common examples include marble, hornfels, quartzite, and metapelite.
What is the rock cycle?
The rock cycle illustrates how rocks undergo changes that alter their characteristics over geological time.
Granite is an example of what type of rock?
An intrusive, felsic rock. Low temp with lots of silica (very viscous)
Andesite is an example of what kind of rock?
An intrusive, intermediate rock. 2nd lowest temp but 2nd highest in viscousity (amt of silica)
Gabbro is what type of rock?
An intrusive, mafic rock.
Hot temps with less silica (not very visocous)
Komatiite is what type of rock?
Intrusive, ultramafic rock.
Very very hot and barely had any silica (not viscous at all)
