Rock is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter. It forms the Earth's outer solid layer, the crust, and comes in various types and compositions, influenced by geological processes.
Table of Contents
Types of Rocks
1- Igneous Rocks
Formation: Formed from the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava.
Examples:
Granite: Coarse-grained, intrusive rock formed from slow cooling of magma beneath the Earth's surface.
Basalt: Fine-grained, extrusive rock formed from rapid cooling of lava at or near the Earth's surface.
2- Sedimentary Rocks
Formation: Formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral and organic particles.
Examples:
Sandstone: Composed of sand-sized particles, often formed in riverbeds and beaches.
Limestone: Mainly composed of calcium carbonate, formed from marine organism remains like shells and corals.
3- Metamorphic Rocks
Formation: Formed from the alteration of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, and chemical processes.
Examples:
Marble: Formed from the metamorphism of limestone, characterized by its crystalline texture and used in sculpture and architecture.
Slate: Formed from the metamorphism of shale, known for its fine-grained texture and used in roofing and flooring.
Summary
Rocks are integral to the Earth's structure and vary based on their formation process:
Igneous rocks originate from cooled magma/lava (e.g., Granite, Basalt).
Sedimentary rocks are formed from deposited and compacted particles (e.g., Sandstone, Limestone).
Metamorphic rocks result from the transformation of existing rocks under heat and pressure (e.g., Marble, Slate).
This classification helps in understanding the Earth's geological history and the processes that shape its surface.
