Earth and Life Science

Lesson 7: Minerals and

Rocks
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to:

1.Classify and describe the three basic rock types;

2.Establish relationships between rock types and
the origin and environment of
deposition/formation;
3.Understand the different geologic processes
involved in rock formation
REVIEW
Rocks are aggregate of minerals. It can be
composed of single mineral (e.g. Quartzite, a
metamorphic rock composed predominantly of
Quartz) or more commonly, as an aggregate of
two or more minerals. A mineral name can be
used as a rock name (e.g. Gypsum Rock which
is composed predominantly of the mineral
Gypsum (CaSO4)).
Rock Classifications
Rocks are classified on the basis
of the mode of formation. The
three rock types are igneous,
sedimentary and metamorphic
rocks.
IGNEOUS
ROCKS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
rocks that are formed from the
solidification of molten rock material
(magma or lava).
can solidify below the surface of the earth
(plutonic igneous rocks) or at the surface of
the Earth (volcanic igneous rocks).
Minerals are formed during the
crystallization of the magma. Note that
the rate of cooling is one of the most
important factors that control crystal
size and the texture of the rock in
general.
PLUTONIC ROCKS
INTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS
from solidified magma underneath the earth

gradual lowering of the temperature gradient a

depth towards the surface would cause slow
cooling/crystallization

Phaneritic texture
Phaneritic texture:

comprised of large crystals

that are clearly visible to the
eye with or without a hand
lens or binocular
microscope.
GRANITE
DIORITE
GABBRO
VOLCANIC ROCKS
EXTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS

from solidified lava at or near the surface of the earth

fast rate of cooling/crystallization due to huge

variance in the temperature between Earth’s surface
and underneath

common textures: aphanitic, porphyritic and vesicular

Aphanitic texture:

fine-grained texture;
minerals not visible to the
naked eye; relatively fast
rates of cooling/solidification
prevented the formation of
large crystals.
Porphyritic texture:
formed through two stages of
crystallization: magma partly
cooled below the surface of the
Earth, giving time for the large
crystals to grow (phenocrysts)
before it is extruded to the
surface forming the fine-grained
groundmass.
Vesicular texture:
voids created by
rapid cooling which
causes air bubbles to
be trapped inside.
RYOLITE
ANDESITE
BASALT
Igneous rocks are also classified
according to silica content:

Felsic
Intermediate
Mafic
Ultramafic
FELSIC
Also called as
granitic rocks
>65% silica,
generally
light-colored
INTERMEDIATE
Also called as
andesitic rocks
55-65% silica
MAFIC
Also called as
basaltic rocks
45-55% silica.
Dark colored.
ULTRAMAFIC
<45% silica; generally
very dark colored;
composed mainly of
olivine and pyroxene
which are the major
constituents of the
upper mantle
SEDIMENTARY
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
These are rocks that formed through the
accumulation, compaction, and
cementation of sediments.

They generally form at surface or near

surface conditions.
Sedimentary processes at or
near the surface of the Earth:
weathering of rocks
sediment transport and
deposition
compaction
and cementation
Factors in sedimentary
processes:
Weathering
transport agents (water, wind,
ice)
Common sedimentary
features:

strata and fossils

STRATA
>1cm is called bedding
and anything less is called
lamination; layering is the
result of a change in grain
size and composition;
each layer represents a
distinct period of
deposition.
FOSSILS
remains and
traces of plants
and animals
that are
preserved in
rocks
NON-CLASTIC
CHEMICAL/BIO-CHEMICAL

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). They are further classified on the
basis of chemical composition.
CLASTIC
TERRIGENOUS

form from the accumulation and lithification

of sediments derived from the breakdown
of pre-existing rocks. They are further
classified according to dominant grain size.
CONGLOMERATE
SANDSTONE
LIMESTONE
COQUINA
METAMORPHIC
ROCKS
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
rocks that form from the transformation
of pre-existing rocks (igneous,
sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks)
through the process of metamorphism.
METAMORPHISM
can involve changes in the physical and
chemical properties of rocks in response
to heat, pressure, and chemically active
fluids. They are commonly formed
underneath the earth through
metamorphism
CONTACT METAMORPHISM
Heat as the main factor: occurs when a pre-
existing rocks get in contact with a heat source
(magma)

Occurs on a relatively small scale: around the

vicinity of intruding magma

Creates non-foliated metamorphic rocks (e.g.

hornfels)
HORNFELS
REGIONAL METAMORPHISM
Pressure as main factor: occurs in areas
that have undergone deformation during
orogenic event resulting in mountain belts

Occurs in a regional/large scale

REGIONAL METAMORPHISM
Creates foliated metamorphic rocks such
as schist and gneiss

Non-foliated rocks like marble also form

thru regional metamorphism, where
pressure is not intense, far from the main
geologic event
SCHIST
GNEISS
CYCLE
ACTIVITY
½ crosswise
Concept Mapping
of the different rock
types
ROCKS
metamorphism