Characteristics of rocks

Igneous Rocks:

1. Formation: Formed from the solidification of molten magma or lava.

2. Texture: Can have either fine-grained (e.g., basalt) or coarse-grained
(e.g., granite) texture, depending on the cooling rate.
3. Mineral Composition: Primarily composed of silicate minerals such as
quartz, feldspar, mica, and amphibole.
4. Examples: Basalt, granite, obsidian, and pumice are examples of
igneous rocks.

Metamorphic Rocks:

1. Formation: Formed from pre-existing rocks (igneous, sedimentary, or

other metamorphic rocks) through heat and pressure without melting.
2. Texture: Exhibits foliation (layering) or non-foliated (no layering)
texture, depending on the intensity of pressure and the presence of
mineral alignment.
3. Mineral Composition: Can contain a wide variety of minerals, with
common ones including quartz, mica, garnet, and amphibole.
4. Examples: Slate, marble, schist, and gneiss are examples of
metamorphic rocks.

Sedimentary Rocks:

1. Formation: Formed from the accumulation and lithification (compaction

and cementation) of sediments (particles of minerals, organic matter, or
other rocks) over time.
2. Texture: Can exhibit a range of textures, including clastic (fragmented
particles), chemical (precipitated from solution), and organic (derived
from the remains of living organisms).
 3. Mineral Composition: Varied, depending on the source material and
environment of deposition, but common minerals include quartz,
feldspar, calcite, and clay minerals.
4. Examples: Sandstone, limestone, shale, and conglomerate are examples
of sedimentary rocks.

These characteristics help in identifying and classifying different types of rocks

based on their origin, texture, mineral composition, and formation processes.