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Chapter 2 Rocks
Rocks contain clues about the environments in which they formed.
2-1 The rock cycle:
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Igneous rock: form intrusion and extrusion of magma.
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Magma: molten materials inside the earth.
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Sedimentary rock: from the physical weathering of already
formed rock, being transported and deposited, them lithfied.
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Lithification: a process to convert sediments to tock,
normally temperature and pressure are important.
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Metamorphic rock: previously formed rock undergoes
recrystallization or structural rearrangement through metamorphism.
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Metamorphism: "Change form" change the type of
minerals, the size of minerals, the texture, etc., without completely
melting. Temperature and pressure are important.
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Basic rock cycle (as indicated by green arrows):
2-2 Igneous rocks:
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Volcanic or extrusive rock: rocks formed by solidification
of lava, i.e. cooled on surface
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Plutonic or intrusive rock: rocks formed underneath the
surface.
2-2-1 Crystallization process:
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Crystals: in which atoms have regular arrangement.
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Glass: atoms arrange themselves randomly in space.
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When cooling fast: no time for the atoms to arrange them
orderly => glass.
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When cooling slow: atoms have time to arrange them into
orderly fashion => crystals.
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Size of the crystals is a function of cooling time and
available space.
2-2-2 Classification of igneous rocks: Based
on
Texture: the size, shape and interparticle relationship of the
minerals.
Different textures: Fig 2.4
Mineral composition:
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major minerals
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minor minerals
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trace minerals
Different minerals form at different temperature and pressure
conditions
Seven common rock-forming minerals: Olivine, pyroxene,
amphibole, biotite, mica, feldspar, and quartz.
Bowen's reaction series:

Igneous rock types v.s. common igneous rocks:
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Based on the composition and texture.
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Texture reflect the depth the rocks formed. e.g.
coarse-grained formed deeply while glassy formed at surface.
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If we know the name of the rock we should be able to tell
how it is formed and what it's approximate composition is.
| |
ultramafic |
mafic |
intermediate |
felsic |
| Coarse |
peridotite |
gabbro |
diorite |
granite |
| Fine |
komatiite |
basalt |
andesite |
rhyolite |
| Major minerals |
olivine, pyroxene |
pyroxene, Ca-feldspar |
amphibole, Ca-Na-feldspar |
quartz, K-feldspar |
2-3 Sedimentary rocks:
To change form sediments (loose particles) to a rock (solid
piece) compaction and cementation are needed.
2-3-1 Classification:
Detrital sedimentary rocks:
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rocks that are made of particles of previous rocks, sand,
clay, gravels, etc.
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Based on the size of the particles. Fig 2.12
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| |
Sediment name |
Rock name |
| > 2 mm |
Gravel |
Conglomerate
breccia |
| < 2 mm and > 1/16 mm |
Sand |
Sandstone |
| < 1/16 mm |
Mud (Silt, Clay) |
shale |
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Difference between conglomerate and
breccia: rounded
particles for the former and angular for the latter.
Chemical sedimentary rocks:
based on the origin:
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biochemical origin: e.g. limestone.
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evaporites: due to evaporation of water and concentration
> solubility, e.g. common salt like gypsum.
2-3-2 Lithification:
2-3-3 Features of sedimentary rocks:
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particle size: larger => close to source.
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roundness: angular => close to source.
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sorting: particle distribution, poor sorting => mixed
particle size => close to source.
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beds: on surface, like ripple, mark,
mudcrack, fossils, etc.
2-4 Metamorphic rocks:
rocks formed, then form changed as indicated by mineral
composition and texture.
2-4-1 Classification of metamorphism:
Based on degree of metamorphism:
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low-grade metamorphism
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high-grade metamorphism
Based on on the area that experienced
2-4-2 Metamorphic agents: Fig 2.20-22
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Heat: e.g. carbon to graphite.
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Pressure: e.g. texture changes.
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Chemical fluid: cementation and
recrystallization.
2-4-3 Classification of metamorphic rocks: Fig
2.22
Foliated texture: show layers or bands.
Nonfoliated texture:
2-5 Resources from rocks and minerals:
2-5-1 Metallic ores:
formed by hydrothermal solution (hot water that dissolves
significant amount of metals).
The solution flow along crack when deposits => form veins. Fig
2.26.
2-5-2 Nonmetallic minerals:
2-5-3 More names for metallic minerals and
elements that can be extracted.
| elements |
Minerals |
| Al |
Bauxite |
| Cr |
Chromite |
| Cu |
Chalcopyrite |
| Fe |
Hematite |
| Pb |
Galena |
| Zn |
Sphalerite |
| Hg |
Cinnabar |
2-5-4 Common minerals associated with
nonmetallic resources:
| Minerals |
Use |
| Apatite |
P fertilizer |
| Calcite |
Construction |
| Kaolinite |
Ceramic |
| Quartz |
Galss |
| Talc |
Powder |
Summary:
Three types of rocks
Processes for the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic rocks.
Homework:
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