igneous, sedimentaryand metamorphic rocks（火成岩,sedimentaryand变质岩石）.docVIP

Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Rocks Earth Science Rock Lab Introduction A rock is any natural aggregate composed of minerals, mineraloids, glass, or organic particles. There are three primary rock groups studied in Earth Science: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Igneous Rocks Igneous rocks form from the solidification of magma either below (intrusive igneous rocks) or above (extrusive igneous rocks) the Earth’s surface. For example, the igneous rock granite solidified below the Earth’s surface and is composed of several visible (to the naked eye) mineral grains such as quartz, orthoclase, biotite, and hornblende. The igneous rock basalt solidified above the Earth’s surface and is composed of non-visible (to the naked eye) mineral grains. Sedimentary Rocks Pre-existing rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic) on the Earth’s surface that have been weathered, broken down into smaller particles, transported, deposited, and lithified (made solid) form sedimentary rocks. Sandstone, a sedimentary rock, is composed of inorganic sand-sized (1/16 to 2 mm) particles that have been lithified together, forming clastic-type sedimentary rocks. Limestone sedimentary rocks are typically formed by chemical precipitation of calcium carbonate or by lithified biogenic skeletal fragments of marine organisms comprised of calcium carbonate. Metamorphic Rocks Metamorphic rocks result from pre-existing rocks that have been altered physically and/or chemically without melting. The agents of these changes include intense heat and pressure and/or chemical actions of hot fluids. The word metamorphic means meta (change) and morphic (form) – to change the pre-existing rock’s form. All metamorphic rocks form through a solid-state transformation. For example, when the intrusive igneous rock granite is subjected to high pressures and temperatures, the original granite texture will transform to a new texture consisting of alternating light and dark minera