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Rocks and the Rock Cycle Flashcards

1
Q

Draw diagram of plutonic and volcanic igneous rock formations

A

See notes

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2
Q

What kind of texture does basalt have?

A
  • Smooth, fine grained
  • No visible crystals (microscopic) due to rapid cooling no time to form
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3
Q

Which type of metamorphism requires extreme compressional forces?

A

Regional metamorphism

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4
Q

Do sedimentary rocks erode easily?

A

Yes

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5
Q

How was the Antrim-Derry Plateaux formed?

A
  • 65m years ago low viscosity lava poured out from North American - Eurasian divergent plate boundary
  • Lava flowed into nearby river valley, cooled and built up to form flat-topped basalt plateaux
  • As basalt cooled and contracted, it split apart into hexagonal columns -> Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim
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6
Q

How are sedimentary rocks formed?

A

Due to compaction and cementation (=lithification) of sediments in a lake/river/sea

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7
Q

Draw a diagram labelling where each form of metamorphism takes place

A

N/A

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8
Q

What are the three different types of sedimentary rock?

A

Mechanical, Organic and chemical

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9
Q

Which type of metamorphism invloves interaction with a high temperature fluid?

A

Hydrothermal metamorphism

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10
Q

What kind of crystals does granite have?

A

Large crystals due to slow cooling

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11
Q

Give an example of places where each type of igneous rock can be found

A

Instrusive: Granite in Wicklow Mountains
Extrusive: Basalt - Giant’s Causeway

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12
Q

Draw diagram showing rock cycle

A

See notes

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13
Q

When was limestone formed

A

350 million years ago

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14
Q

How was limestone formed?

A

It is created from compacted shells and skeletons of marine organisms in warm, shallow seas

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15
Q

What colour is basalt?

A

Black/dark green - varies due to lava properties

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16
Q

What texture does granite have?

A

Coarse (due to crystals)

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17
Q

Give an example of each of the three different types of sedimentary rock and where they can be found

A

Mechanical:
* Sandstone - Comeragh Mts, Munster
* Shale - Cliffs of Moher
Organic:
* Limestone:
-Carboniferous - Burren, Co Clare
- Dolomite - Johnstown, Co Kilkenny
- Chalk - Cliffs at Portrush, Co Antrim
Chemical:
* Gypsum - Kingscourt, Co Cavan
* Rock Salt - Carrickfergus, Co Antrim

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18
Q

What is the difference between the two different types of igneous rocks?

A

Intrusive: Made from cooled magma
Extrusive: Made from cooled lava

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19
Q

Give an example of where in the world basalt can be found

A

Mid Atlantic Ridge

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20
Q

How is granite formed?

A
  • At convergent boundaries
  • Magma forces it’s way between rocks at plate boundaries
  • Slow cooling of molten magma deep within earth’s crust at a depth 5-30km -> plutonic rock
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21
Q

Give a global example of where rock salt can be found

A

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

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22
Q

Which type of metamorphism happens around intrusive igneous rocks?

A

Contact metamorphism

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23
Q

What is sedimentary rock made from?

A

Other rocks and sediments of plants and animals

24
Q

What are the characteristics of regional metamorphism?

A
  • Affects extensive regions
  • Produces foliated rocks like slate, schist and gneiss due to directed pressure
  • Common in zones of collision where plates converge
25
How is sandstone formed?
Sand-sized particles of feldspar and quartz are compacted in rivers, deserts or beaches
26
What type of rock makes up 90% of ocean floors?
Basalt
27
When was sandstone formed?
400 million years ago
28
What are the three different classifications of sedimentary rocks and how do they differ from each other?
Mechanical (clastic): Other rock particles Organic: Once living things Chemical: Due to environment eg. desert climate - evaporation
29
Give a global example of where limestone can be found
White Cliffs of Dover, England
30
How is basalt rock formed?
* At constructive boundaries magma forces through fissures (openings in earth's crust) reaching surface as lava * When it meets air/water it cools rapidly
31
Define metamorphism
The process by which rocks are transformed due to changes in temperature, pressure and/or chemical conditions without the rock melting
32
What is lithification?
The process of compaction and cementation where layers of sediment compact over time, and silica cements particles together to form solid sedimentary rock
33
How was rock salt formed?
Formed by evaporation of saline water in arid environments like salt lakes or lagoons
34
What causes regional metamorphism?
Occurs over large areas due to intense pressure and high temperatures, typically associated with mountain-building processes at convergent plate boundaries
35
What are the properties of basalt?
Mafic rock - Has magnesium and iron
36
Give examples of each different type of metamorphic rock foundation and where they can be found
**Thermal:** * Quartzite (formerly sandstone) - Mt Errigal, Donegal **Regional:** * Marble (formerly limestone) - Connemara, Co Galway * Gneiss (formerly granite) - Annagh Head, Co Mayo **Dynamic:** * Mylonite (formerly granite) - Roundstone, Co Galway * Slate (formerly shale) - Valencia Island, Co Kerry
37
Give an example of where in Ireland basalt can be found
Derry-Antrim Plateaux - Giant's Causeway
38
Examine with reference to Ireland the formation of igneous rocks (30m)
See notes
39
When was rock salt formed?
200 million years ago
40
What kind of mineral content does granite have?
* Due to high silica content (70%) -> acidic rock * Key mineral components: quartz (colourless), feldspar (reflective, flat mineral) and mica (black/white crystals) * High feldspar + High silica mineral content = felsic rock
41
Examine with reference to Ireland, the formation of sedimentary rocks (30m)
See notes
42
What are some economic uses of basalt and examples of these?
* Broken down basalt makes very fertile soil eg. In Brazil, coffee plantations grown in basalt areas * Used in construction industry eg. Road chippings/tarmacadam * Basalt plateauxs bring in tourism eg. Giant's Causeway created from basalt eruptions
43
Give an example of regional metamorphism
* Shale transforms into slate or schist Limestone transforms into marble
44
What type of climate are chemical sedimentary rocks found in?
Desert climate
45
Explain changes that can occur to rocks due to metamorphism
**Recrystallization** * Existing minerals grow larger or form new minerals without melting * Results in denser and more interlocking mineral grains, such as the transformation of limestone into marble **Texture changes** * Development of foliation: Minerals align in planes or layers due to directed pressure, as seen in slate or schist * Development of non-foliated texture: In rocks without platy minerals (eg. quartzite and marble), as granular texture develops **Mineral changes** * New minerals form that are stable under the new temperature and pressure conditions such as garnet, staurolite or sillimanite * Original minerals may break down or recombine, like the transformation of clay minerals into mica **Chemical changes (metasomatism)** * Interaction with chemically active fluids can add or remove elements, altering the rock's composition **Banding** * Under high-grade metamorphism, minerals segregate into light and dark bands, as seen in gneiss **Hardness increase** * Rocks typically become harder and more resistant to weathering due to recrystallization and compaction
46
What are the layers sedimentary rock is made up of known as?
Strata/stratal layers
47
Draw a diagram showing the formation of sedimentary rocks
See notes
48
What are the three main rock types?
Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic
49
Give a global example of where sandstone can be found
Grand Canyon, USA
50
How are intrusive/plutonic igneous rocks formed?
* When molten magma cools and solidifies deep within the crust of the earth * Eventually come to the surface as a result of uplift and removal of overlying rocks
51
Which type of metamorphism requires the crushing and grinding of rocks?
Dynamic metamorphism
52
What are some uses of granite and why is it used in this way?
* Ornamental: Used in counter tops, table tops and headstones * When broken down by weathering and erosion used to make kaolin/china clay used by porcelain industry -> Hard, heavy rock resistant to weathering + erosion
53
What are the different ways metamorphic rocks can form?
* Thermal - Heat only * Regional - Heat and pressure * Dynamic - Pressure only
54
How are extrusive/volcanic igneous rocks formed?
Formed when magma cools and solidifies on or near earth's surface
55
Point out rock types on map of Ireland
See notes
56
What colour is granite?
Black/grey - Red/pink Varies depending on proportions of different minerals in rock

Geography (12 decks)

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