The Three Main

Categories of
Rocks.
3 Main Categories of Rocks

• Igneous Rocks
• Sedimentary
Rocks
• Metamorphic
Rocks
 Igneous Rocks
An igneous rock is formed by the hardening and
crystallization of molten material that originates
from deep within the earth.

Extrusive Igneous Intrusive Igneous

Rocks Rocks
 Igneous Rocks
Extrusive Igneous Intrusive Igneous
Rocks Rocks
 formed from solidified
 results when magma
lava at or near the
solidifies beneath the
surface of the earth
earth's surface.
 The common textures
 gradual lowering of the
of this type of volcanic
temperature cause slow
or extrusive rocks are:
cooling/crystallization,
• aphanitic,
forms large interlocking
• porphyritic
crystals, a texture called
• vesicular.
phaneritic.
 Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are also classified according to:

Silica content
Felsic (Granitic Igneous Rock)
Intermediate
mafic
ultramafic
• They are composed of >65% silica and are
generally light-colored.
• Intermediate igneous rocks also called andesitic.
They contain 55-65% silica and are generally
medium colored (medium gray).
• Mafic igneous rocks also called basaltic. They are
made up of 45-55% silica and are generally dark
colored.
• Lastly, ultramafic igneous rocks contain <45%
silica and composed mainly of olivine and
pyroxene. They are generally very dark in color.
 Let’s take a look…
Obsidian is a dark-colored volcanic glass that forms from the very rapid
cooling of molten rock material. It cools so rapidly that crystals do not form.

Is this rock Felsic or

Mafic?

Is it fine-grained or
coarse-grained?

Is this rock Intrusive or

Extrusive?

Mafic, fine grained, extrusive

 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
• Sedimentary rocks form from eroded pieces of
minerals, rocks, and fossils.
• These particles, or sediments, build up in layers
through deposition.
• Sedimentary rocks form near the surface, by
time and pressure.
 Sedimentary Rocks

Non-clastic
sedimentary rocks

Chemical Sedimentary Rocks derived from sediments that

precipitated from
concentrated solutions (e.g.,
seawater)

Organic Sedimentary Rocks

from the accumulation of
biologic or organic material
(e.g., shells, plant material)
 Sedimentary Rocks

Non-clastic
sedimentary rocks

Chemical Sedimentary Rocks rock salt, iron ore, chert, flint,

some dolomites

Organic Sedimentary Rocks

coal and fossiliferous
limestone
Sedimentary Rocks

clastic or terrigenous
sedimentary rocks
derived from sediments that
precipitated from
concentrated solutions (e.g.,
seawater) or from the
accumulation of biologic or
organic material (e.g., shells,
plant material)
Sedimentary Rocks

clastic or terrigenous
sedimentary rocks
breccia, conglomerate,
sandstone, siltstone, and
shale
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
 METAMORPHIC ROCKS

• forms from existing rock types called

“parent rock” in the process called
metamorphism, which means a change
in form. The original rock which can be
an igneous, sedimentary, or another
metamorphic rock is subjected to heat
and pressure, causing a profound
chemical or physical change.
 METAMORPHIC Rocks
Foliated Non-foliated

 It is formed through
 It has no foliation or
pressure due to
bands.
compression of rocks
that create bands
called foliation.
 METAMORPHIC Rocks
Foliated Non-foliated

 Examples are gneiss,

 Examples of this type
phyllite, schist, and
are hornfels, marble,
slate.
quartzite, and
novaculite.
 Metamorphic Rocks
• Contact Metamorphism – heated by nearby magma
• Increased temperature changes the composition of
the rock, minerals are changed into new minerals

Hornfels is a fine-grained non-foliated

metamorphic rock produced by
contact metamorphism
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/geology/meta_contact.html&edu=h igh&fr=t
 Metamorphic Rocks

 Regional Metamorphism –
pressure builds up in rocks
that is deep within the Earth

 Large pieces of the Earth’s

crust collide and the rock is
deformed and chemically
changed by heat and pressure
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/geology/meta_regional.html&edu=high&fr=t
 Metamorphic Rock
• Foliated - contain aligned grains of flat
minerals
Gneiss is foliated
metamorphic rock
that has a banded
appearance and is
made up of granular
mineral grains.

It typically contains
abundant quartz or
feldspar minerals.
 Metamorphic Rock
• Non-Foliated – mineral grains are not
arranged in plains or bands
Marble is a non-
foliated metamorphic
rock that is produced
from the
metamorphism of
limestone.

It is composed
primarily of calcium
carbonate.
 Let’s try this…
Answer the question below.
While mountain trekking,
Mayumi found several rocks that
contained remains of aquatic plants
and animals. What kind of rock did
she found? What can you infer from
the formation of the rock?