EQ1-4.1:Geology and UK

Question 1

Give a definition,approximate age and 3 examples of igneous rocks and sedimentary rocks

Answer 1

Igneous rocks:

• They are the oldest rocks on earth
• They are formed by the cooling and crystallisation of molten magma on the earth’s surface.
• They are a very resistant type of rock
• They are 500million-1 billion years old
• Granite,basalt and pumice
• You would find them in north of the UK (the UK’s Uplands)

Sedimentary rocks:

• Formed from eroded sediments of other rocks deposited by rivers or the seas
• They are compacted rock
• Their resistance varies due to erosion
• Chalk,limestone and clay
• 2 million years to 500million years old
• You would find sedimentary rock in the south of the UK (the UK’s lowlands)

Metamorphic:

• Metamorphic rock is sedimentary rock that was heated and compressed to harden them
• Metamorphic rock is resistant
• Marble,schists and slate
• You would find it in the North of the UK(the UK’s uplands)

Question 2

Compare metamorphic and igneous rock

Answer 2

Igneous rocks were formed from magmas cooling and crystallising where as metamorphic rocks were formed from sedimentary rock being heated and compressed

Question 3

Compare the formation and characteristics of granite and carboniferous limestone

Answer 3

Granite:
Formed as an intrusive igneous rock. Formed when magma is cooled deep underground.Contains crystals of quartz and other rocks

Carboniferous limestone:
A sedimentary rock made of eroded corals,crushed shells and skeletons pushed together. They are permeable with caved,rivers and passages underground, but are quite resistant rock

Question 4

Compare the formation and characteristics of chalk and slate

Answer 4

Slate:
A metamorphic rock formed from heated muds. Very resistant

Chalk:
A sedimentary rock that is a younger purer form of limestone. Very porous and permeable,medium resistance