ROCKS

The Rock Cycle

Types of Rocks
-Igneous Rocks
-Sedimentary Rocks
-Metamorphic Rocks
Denver M. Cho-oy, LPT, MA Physics
University of the Cordilleras
Senior High School
 Minerals vs. Rocks
Minerals Rocks
 Igneous Rocks
• from the latin word “ignis” which means
“fire”
• formed when molten or partially molten
material, called magma, cools and solidifies
• usually hard and crystalline
• Solidification can occur along the surface of
the earth or beneath the surface of the
earth.
 A. According to depth of formation
Classification of Igneous Rocks

1. Plutonic or Intrusive
- the magma producing this rock is not
able to reach the surface such that they
„intrude‟ into neighboring rocks.
2. Volcanic or Extrusive Rocks
- the magma works its way toward the
surface explodes or „extrudes‟, and
generates extensive lava flow. The lava
(magma that has reached the surface
of the Earth) solidifies to produce
volcanic rocks.
 B. According to composition
Classification of Igneous Rocks

1. Felsic rocks
- Granitic: >65% silica, generally light
colored
2. Intermediate rocks
- Andecittic: 55-65% silica, generally
medium colored
3. Mafic rocks
- Basaltic: 45-55% silica, usually dark
colored
4. Ultramafic
- <45% silica, generally dark colored
 C. According to texture
Classification of Igneous Rocks
Texture describes the overall appearance of an igneous
rock based on thee and arrangement of its
interlocking crystals. The following are the
classifications:

1. Fine-grained texture (Aphanitic)

• Igneous rocks that form rapidly at the surface or
as small masses within the upper crust are fine
grained. These rocks have voids (vesicles) left by
gas bubbles that escape as the magma solidifies.
2. Coarse-grained texture (Phaneritic)
• These are large masses of magma that solidify far
below the surface. These rocks have the
appearance of a mass of intergrown crystals that
are roughly equal in size and large enough that
the individual minerals can be identified with the
rock. Example of these is the granite.
Aphanitic texture
Phaneritic texture
 C. According to texture
Classification of Igneous Rocks
3. Porphyritic Texture
• This type of texture is characterized by large
crystals that are embedded in a matrix of smaller
crystals. Magma already containing large crystals
suddenly erupts at the surface. The remaining
molten portion of lava would then cool quickly
producing a porphyritic texture.
4. Glassy Texture
• Rocks that have this texture result from lava that is
ejected into the atmosphere and quenched very
quickly. Examples of these are the obsidian
and pumice which is gray, frothy mass formed
when large amount of gas escape through lava
to generate a gray, frothy mass.
Porphyritic texture
Glassy texture
COARSE GRAINED FINE GRAINED

MAFIC

FELSIC
 Sedimentary Rocks
• Sedimentary is taken from the Latin word
“sedimentum” which means―”settling”,
referring to a solid material settling out of a
fluid.
• Sedimentary rocks accounts for only about
5% in volume of Earth„s outer 16 km.
 Types of Sedimentary Rocks
A. Clastic sedimentary rocks
• grains, matrix, and cement are the
components of clastic rocks

*grains-greater than sand-sized minerals and/or

rock fragments
*matrix-fine grained (clay to silt sized) materials
*cement-minerals precipitated from solutions
that binds the grains and matrix together
 Types of Sedimentary Rocks
B. Non-clastic sedimentary rocks
• evaporation and precipitation from
solution or lithification of organic matter
classified as evaporites (halite, gypsum
and dolostone), precipitates (limestone)
and bioclastics (coal, coquina)
 Metamorphic Rocks
• Metamorphic literally means ―to change
form from the Greek word, metamorphosis.
These rocks form when existing rocks
(igneous or sedimentary) are changed by
heat or pressure or both inside the Earth„s
crust or also by chemical-active fluids.
Metamorphism mostly occurs in the
following 3 situations:
1. Regional metamorphism (mountain building)
• Great quantities of rocks are subjected to the intense
stresses and high temperatures associated with large-
scale deformation. The end result is an extensive area of
metamorphic rocks.
2. Contact (thermal) metamorphism
• When rocks become in contact with, or near, a mass of
magma, change is caused by high temperature of the
molten material. In effect the surrounding rock is
―baked. An example of such product is marble.
3. Dynamic metamorphism - occurs along faults because
of gravity and too much heat
• stress. Example of this is mylonite.
Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
1. Foliated Rocks
- These are composed of minerals that are
drawn out, flattened, and arranged in
parallel layers or bands. the magma
producing this rock is not able to reach
the surface such that they „intrude‟ into
neighboring rocks.
- Examples of foliated rocks are the
following: slates, schists, phylite, and
gneiss
Foliation
Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
2. Non- Foliated Rocks
- These are type of minerals that are not
arranged in parallel layers or bands
- Examples: marble, quartzite, serpentine,
anthracite of hard coal, and graphite.