Rocks & the Rock Cycle

Rocks & the Rock Cycle

Key Concepts What are the 3 major groups of rocks? How do igneous rocks form? How are sedimentary rocks classified? How do metamorphic rocks form? How can one type of rock change into another?

Every rock has a story to tell….

• We pass by rocks every day…. Never thinking of their place of origin, age, or reason for even

being hereSo maybe it’s just that some people collect rocks, like stamps, solely for habit and maybe the occasional insight? NO WAY!!!! Rocks are good story tellers….problem is, in order to know the

story, you have to be trained a bit ;)

Why study rocks?• Geologists study rocks because they contain

clues about what the Earth was like in the past Can assemble a historical record of a planet Trace events that occurred long before humansHelps us answer questions such as: Was there a lake or volcano present where the rock was found? Was there a mountain range or sea? Was it hot or cold? Was the atmosphere thick or thin?

Basic point is to better understand our world. This helps us to better coexist with nature and reap the benefits that it has to offer

Classification

• Because rocks are simply a combination of 1 or more minerals, we must have a way to classify them

• Properties used to identify rocks include:

• Classified into 3 major groups--

Igneous Rocks

Igneous rocks-• Magma

Magma that flows out of volcanoes is called ________

How does igneous rock form?

Inside Earth:Outside Earth:

Igneous Rocks

• Extrusive vs. Intrusive Differences in texture caused by differences in how

they formed Intrusive igneous rocks cool ________ underground

Extrusive igneous rocks very _______ at the surface

Intrusive vs. Extrusive

Igneous Rocks

• Color

• Rock’s composition

Sedimentary Rock

• Rock that forms over time as sediment is squeezed and “cemented” together

Sediment:

Formation of sedimentary rock:

3 main groups of sedimentary rocks:1.) 2.) 3.)

FYI: fossils are mainly found in sedimentary rocks.

Clastic Rocks

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Conglomerate:

Chemical & Organic Rock

Chemical Rock Form when minerals precipitate out

of solution Rainwater dissolves many minerals

Organic Rock Result of organic processes Marine animals such as coral, clams, and

mussels extract CaCO3 from ocean water to form their shells and skeletons

After they die, their shells & skeletons sink to ocean floor

Over time, fragments compact and cement together, forming limestone

Metamorphic Rock• Metamorphic rock:

Forms when a rock is transformed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.

Most form under high T & P deep underground.

Metamorphism can result in a rock with a mineral content that is ____________ from the original rock

Metamorphic Rock Formation

The Rock Cycle

• We must recognize Earth as a dynamic planet Constructive forces form new igneous rock Destructive forces break down rock, forming sediment Other forces push rock deep beneath surface, where heat & pressure form

metamorphic rock

• These changes form a cycle Rock cycle:

The Rock Cycle

As you can see, rocks don’t always form in just one specific path…

Videos to help

• The Rock Cycle• Causes of Metamorphism