Unit 2: ROCKS

Rocks
A rock can be
defined as
an aggregate of
minerals that forms
more or less a
definite
unit of the earth’s
crust.
Minerals are naturally
occurring solid, inorganic
substances with a definite
chemical composition and
physical properties.
Difference between Rocks and Minerals
Rocks
1. Aggregate of mineral elements
2. Have no definite chemical composition
3. Minerals are organised to form rocks.
4. Three main types- Igneous,
Sedimentary and Metamorphic
5. Basalt, granite, sandstone, slate and
quartz are some important types of rocks.
Minerals
1. Solid inorganic substances occurring
naturally
2. Have definite chemical composition
3. Elements are organised to form
compounds which are known as minerals.
An element is a pure substance.
4. Four chief mineral groups are silicates,
carbonates, sulphides and metallic
minerals
5. Iron, silicon, magnesium, nickel,
calcium, potassium, sodium are abundant
minerals of the earth.
 Igneous Rocks

• Igneous is derived from the Latin word ignis meaning

fire

• These rocks are formed due to cooling, solidification

and crystallisation of magma found in the depths in
the interior of the earth
 Batholiths

Laccoliths

Intrusive
Sills
Igneous Rocks

Dykes

Necks
 Classification
of Igneous
Rocks

Based on
Based on
Chemical
Origin
Composition

Extrusive Intrusive Acid Basic

Sedimentary Rocks
Formation of Sedimentary Rocks
Igneous rocks are exposed on the surface of the earth

Broken down by weathering and carried by forces of gradation like rivers, glaciers and ocean waves

Deposited as sediments

Subsequent layers are formed with passage of time

Due to the weight of the subsequent layers, the sediments get cemented

FORMATION OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

 Lithification
• Is the cementation, compaction and hardening of
sediments into sedimentary rocks

• It turns loose sediments into hard rock

Characteristics of Sedimentary rocks

Contain fossils

Lithification

75% of the surface area of the globe

Not crystalline, generally

It makes extensive landforms

 Classification of
Sedimentary
Rocks

On the basis of
On the basis of
agents of
formation
formation
 Classification on
the basis of
Agents of
Formation

Riverine rocks Lacustrine rocks Glacial rocks Aeolin rocks Marine rocks

Carbonaceous
Calcarious
Sedimentary
Sedimentary rocks
Rocks
 Mechanically formed Sedimentary Rocks or Clastic Rocks

• Mechanical sediments are derived by the process of denudation of the land. These
are called the detrital sediments or clastic sediments.

• Rounded pebbles such as those in the bed of rivers get consolidated to form a rock
called conglomerate.

• Angular fragments of gravel such as those accumulating at the bottom of a cliff may
get compacted to form a rock called breccias.
Mechanically formed Sedimentary Rocks or
Clastic Rocks
• Sandstone is a sedimentary rock formed by the
consolidation of deposits of sand. Sandstone consists of
mainly quartz of various colours.

• A coarse type of sandstone is known as grit.

• Deposits of clay get hardened to form a rock called shale or

mudstone.

• Siltstone consists of deposits of silt.

Formation of Metamorphic Rocks
Undergo sudden Hard and more compact
Igneous or change through
Sedimentary Rocks physical or chemical
processes
Impermeable

Do not have fossils

Change in composition
of minerals due to
temperature and
pressure New minerals are formed
 Types of Metamorphism

Thermal Dynamic Regional

Metamorphism Metamorphism Metamorphism

Occurs when the Due to mountain building

Occurs when the
transformation of the process, igneous and
transformation of the
original rock takes place sedimentary rocks are
original rock takes place
due to high buried deep inside the
due to pressure
temperatures crust
 Original Rock Undergoes changes to form Metamorphic rock

Limestone Marble
Sandstone Quartzite
Shale Slate
Coal Graphite
Basalt Schist
Granite Gneiss
Dolomite/ Chalk Marble
Economic Significance of Rocks

Soils are derived

Rocks as a great resource from weathered
rocks

Precious metals
Building
like gold, silver, Articles
materials
etc
 He
ati
ng
-
Co
o
me

Magma
lte l- s
da o l id
ifie
d
wa
y
Rock Cycle

Rocks
Rocks
Igneous

Chemical Action

Metamorphic
(Heat & Pressure)

(W
ea
the
Load)

(Tr rin
Erosion-

an g-
sp
Deposited)
(Weathering-

Ero
(Transported,

or s io
ted n-
,D Lo
Rocks

ep ad
os
ite )
d)
Sedimentary

Banking Load

(Transported and
Sediments

deposited)

Consolidation