Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification of molten rock material. There Metamorphic Rock
are two basic types. meta- meaning change and –morphos meaning form, is one of the three rock categories
Intrusive igneous rocks crystallize below Earth's surface, and the slow cooling in the rock cycle
that occurs there allows large crystals to form. has been changed by temperature, pressure, and/or fluids
Diorite is the name used for a group of coarse-grained igneous
rocks with a composition between that of granite and basalt. It Metamorphism occurs when solid rock changes in composition and/or texture without
usually occurs as large intrusions, dikes, and sills within continental the mineral crystals melting, which is how igneous rock is generated. Metamorphic
crust. source rocks, the rocks that experience the metamorphism, are called the parent rock or
Gabbro is a coarse-grained, dark-colored, intrusive igneous rock. protolith, from proto– meaning first, and lithos- meaning rock, metamorphic processes
It is usually black or dark green in color and composed mainly of take place deep underground, inside the earth’s crust.
the minerals plagioclase and augite.
Granite is a light-colored igneous rock with grains large enough to
be visible with the unaided eye. Three factors
Pegmatite are extreme igneous rocks that form during the final stage of a Temperature measures a substance’s energy—an increase in temperature represents an
magma’s crystallization. increase in energy. Temperature changes affect the chemical equilibrium or cation
Peridotite is a generic name used for coarse-grained, dark-colored, balance in minerals.
ultramafic igneous rocks.
Pressure is the force exerted over a unit area on a material.
A third metamorphic agent is chemically reactive fluids that are expelled by crystallizing
Extrusive igneous rocks erupt onto the surface, where they cool quickly to form magma and created by metamorphic reactions.
small crystals.
Andesite is the name used for a family of fine-grained, extrusive igneous Two kinds of Metamorphism
rocks that are usually light to dark gray in color. 1) Regional Metamorphism - Most metamorphic rocks are the result of regional
Basalt is a dark-colored, fine-grained, igneous rockcomposed mainly metamorphism (also called dynamothermal metamorphism). These rocks were typically
of plagioclase and pyroxene minerals. exposed to tectonic forces and associated high pressures and temperatures.
Dacite is a fine-grained igneous rock that is normally light in color. It is 2) Contact Metamorphism -
often porphyritic. (also called thermal metamorphism) is the process by which the country rock that
Obsidian is an igneous rock that forms when molten rock material cools surrounds a hot magma intrusion is metamorphosed by the high heat flow coming from
so rapidly that atoms are unable to arrange themselves into a crystalline the intrusion.
structure.
Pumice is a light-colored, extremely porous igneous rock that forms Types of Metamorphic Rocks
during explosive volcanic eruptions.
Rhyolite is an extrusive igneous rock with a very high silica content. It is Foliated Metamorphic Rocks
usually pink or gray in color with grains so small that they are difficult to
observe without a hand lens. Foliated metamorphic rocks have four distinguishable types of aligned textures and
Scoria is a dark-colored igneous rock with abundant round bubble-like they normally have a banded or layered appearance.
cavities known as vesicles.
Tuff is an igneous rock that forms from the products of an explosive Foliated Rocks:
volcanic eruption.
Gneiss
What Are Sedimentary Rocks? Phylite
Sedimentary Rocks are formed by the accumulation of sediments. There are three basic
Slate
types of sedimentary rocks. Schist
Clastic sedimentary rocks such as breccia, conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, and shale
are formed from mechanical weathering debris. Non-foliated Metamorphic Rocks
Chemical sedimentary rocks, such as rock salt, iron ore, chert, flint, some dolomites, and
somelimestones, form when dissolved materials precipitate from solution. Non-foliated metamorphic rocks do not have a banded or layered appearance. The
Organic sedimentary rocks such as coal, some dolomites, and some limestones, form extensively known example of non-foliated metamorphic rock is marble. Other
from the accumulation of plant or animal debris. examples include quartzite, hornfels, and novaculite.
CLASTIC SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Breccia is a clastic sedimentary rock that is composed of large (over two-millimeter Hornfels
diameter) angular fragments. The spaces between the large fragments can be filled with Amphibolite
a matrix of smaller particles or a mineral cement which binds the rock together. The Novaculite
specimen shown above is about two inches (five centimeters) across. Marble
Conglomerate is a clastic sedimentary rock that contains large (greater than two Quartzite
millimeters in diameter) rounded particles. The space between the pebbles is generally
filled with smaller particles and/or a chemical cement that binds the rock together.
Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock made up mainly of sand-size (1/16 to 2
millimeter diameter) weathering debris. Environments where large amounts of sand can
accumulate include beaches, deserts, flood plains, and deltas. The specimen shown
above is about two inches (five centimeters) across.
Siltstone is a clastic sedimentary rock that forms from silt-size (between 1/256 and 1/16
millimeter diameter) weathering debris.
Shale is a clastic sedimentary rock that is made up of clay-size (less than 1/256
millimeter in diameter) weathering debris. It typically breaks into thin flat pieces.
CHEMICAL SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Rock Salt is a chemical sedimentary rock that forms from the evaporation of ocean or
saline lake waters. It is also known by the mineral name "halite." It is rarely found at
Earth's surface, except in areas of very arid climate. It is often mined for use in the