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Rocks: Dr. Michael J. Passow
Rocks: Dr. Michael J. Passow
Rocks: Dr. Michael J. Passow
Source: http://
www.canadianrockhound.com/junior/rock_cycle.html
Here is another version of the Rock Cycle
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Metrocks/Metrocks2.html
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Rocks/Rocks8.html
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks may be made of rock fragments—
sediments—or by chemical reactions. The classification of
sediments is shown below.
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Sedrocks/Sedrocks6.html
Clastic rocks–made of cemented
sediments—are classified by their grain
sizes.
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Sedrocks/Sedrocks9.html
Non-clastic rocks form by chemical precipitation
(settling out from a solution.) Limestone is
made from calcite, chert from quartz, and halite
is rock salt.
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Sedrocks/Sedrocks10.html
Biologic sedimentary rocks come
from the remains of organic matter.
• The most important of
these is coal.
Anthracite coal results
from the greatest
pressure and releases
the most energy when
burned. Other varieties
are bituminous and
lignite. “Petrified”
(permineralized) wood
is another organic rock.
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Sedrocks/Sedrocks11.html
More about sedimentary rocks
• Light-colored, coarse-
grained, no pattern
• Mostly quartz,
feldspar, mica, and
hornblende
• Often used for
buildings and
monuments
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Rocks/Rocks10.html
Basalt
• Dark-colored, fine-
grained, extrusive
• Formed where lava
erupted onto surface
• Most widespread igneous
rocks
• Found locally in the
Palisades along west
shore of Hudson River,
Connecticut River valley
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Slideshow/Igrocks/Igrock2.html
Gabbro
• Dark-colored, coarse-
grained intrusive
• Similar composition to
basalt—plagioclase
feldspar with some
pyroxene and olivine
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Slideshow/Igrocks/Igrock8.html
Obsidian
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Slideshow/Igrocks/Igrock7.html
Pumice and other igneous rocks
http://www.volcanoworld.org/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Metrocks/Metrocks12.html
Additional Resources