Stepping Stones, Rocks

Rock is a naturally occurring aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids. Rocks are classified by mineral and chemical composition; the texture of the constituent particles; and also by the processes that formed them. more...

These indicators separate rocks into igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

Igneous rocks are formed from molten magma, and are divided into two main categories: Plutonic rock and Volcanic rock. Plutonic rocks result when the magma cools and crystallises slowly within the Earth's crust, while Volcanic rocks result from the magma reaching the surface either as lava or fragmental ejecta.

Sedimentary rocks are formed by deposition of either detrital or organic matter, or chemical precipitates (evaporites), followed by compaction of the particulate matter and cementation. The latter can occur at or near the earth's surface, especially in the case of carbonate-rich sediments.

Metamorphic rocks are formed by subjecting any rock type (including previously-formed metamorphic rock) to different temperature and pressure conditions than those in which the original rock was formed. These temperatures and pressures are always higher than those at the earth's surface, and must be sufficiently high so as to change the original minerals into other mineral types or else into other forms of the same minerals (e.g. by recrystallisation).

The transformation of one rock type to another is described by the geological model called the rock cycle.

The Earth's crust (including the lithosphere) and mantle are formed of rock.

Petrology is the study of rocks.

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