Earth Science (Rocks)

What is the difference between Rocks and Stones?

1. First, stones are smaller than rocks. Therefore small fragments of rocks are considered
stones.
2. Second, since stones are fragments of rocks, the cut-off pieces of rocks used for industrial
and practical purposes are deemed to be stoned.
3. Third, rocks are typically found in the Earth’s crust, and also found on the surface. On the
other hand, stones are non-metallic minerals.
Petrology is the study of rocks, and one of the things that petrologists study is the
common rock-forming elements, how these rocks are formed and figure out what type of
process they undergo.
Basic geology will tell us that about 98% percent of the Earth’s crust is composed of
eight elements. Of the eight elements, 46.6% percent is oxygen, 27.7% is silicon, 8.1 percent is
aluminum, 5% is iron, 3.6% is calcium, 2.8% is sodium, 2.6% is potassium, and 2.1% is
magnesium. Most of the common-rock-forming minerals are silicate minerals composed of
silicon and oxygen.
Rocks are made of an aggregate of minerals (you can find minerals inside of the rocks
when u break them into pieces; there are a lot of types of minerals seen in rocks) and grains
that do not disintegrate easily under normal conditions. Rocks are also defined as aggregates of
one or more minerals forming a cohesive solid.
Minerals are important to rocks because they stick together (intermolecular forces),
these forces are attracted to each other causing the rocks to stay as it is. Water is also another
substance that acts like a paste that keeps rocks together.

Types of Rocks:
IGNEOUS ROCKS
Igneus means fiery; according to the formation, they are formed and found in
volcanoes, the first way of forming an igneous rock is by the slow cooling of the magma
below or under the surface. They also form crystals in the rocks, magma that cools off below
the surface of a volcano can result in the formation of crystals. The crystals that are formed
most of the time are visible crystals (Intrusive rocks).
(Classification - Formation)
1. Intrusive (plutonic rocks) - are created in magma chambers and they solidify
underground and they dont form on the surface, they cool off and they become intrusive
igneous rocks, they come out of the earth's crust during volcanic eruptions. Magma that
cools off below the surface of a volcano can result in the formation of crystals. They can be
seen without a magnifying glass. (Granite, Pumice, Peridotite, etc.)
2. Extrusive Igneous rocks - lava flows rapidly on the surface, and the lava cools off there,
they were formed because of volcanic flows and not an eruption. (basalt, rhyolit, andesite,
etc.)
(Classification - Texture and Appearance)
1. Phaneritic - Minerals are big and can be seen immediately, one type of mineral can be seen
only.
2. Pegmatitic - Minerals are visible and can be seen immediately, but there can be 2 or more
types of minerals that are present
3. Aphanitic - Minerals have to be seen with a magnifying glass and other machines, with
chemicals, minerals will not react
4. Vesicular - Minerals have to be seen with a magnifying glass and other machines, but if put
with chemicals, minerals will react
5. Poryphytric - All four types of classifications given above can be seen in this classification
of Igneous Rocks.
(Classification - Color and Elements)
1. Felsic - white, light gray, tan, and pink (rich in SiO2)
2. Mafic/Ultramafic - dark brown, dark colors (Rich in Mg and Fe)
3. Intermediate - equal colors (equal elements)
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Sedimentary rocks are formed by virtue of five processes or steps, namely as follows:
weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, and cementation.
(Processes)
A. Weathering - Pre-existing rocks; Parent Rock (any type) are broken down; broken down
rocks are called sediments (most are very light)
- Physical - are mechanically being broken down but no chemical change is involved
(Frost Wedging, exfoliation)
- Frost Wedging - water-filled crack; freezes into ice; breaks the ice)
- Exfoliation - changes in extreme temperature can cause cracks in rocks. Energy
in the rocks will disappear.
- Unloading - Powerful force will push away pieces from parent rocks, and the
leftover rocks will be left to fend for themselves to take care of themselves, but
can't, so they will break away turning into sediments
- Biological Weathering - (Organic) People, Plants or Animals break rocks, on
purpose or accidentally. To make shelter and other uses. The roots of very strong
trees can break down and penetrate the rocks underneath. Roots of trees grow
downwards because they have to get their nutrients and sources in order to grow
and the pheromone in the tree called Auxin detects gravity, so the roots grow
downward, without it, they grow upwards.
 - Chemical - rocks are broken down, but chemical reactions are needed for them to be
created.
- Carbonation - breakdown of calcite by reaction with carbonic acid with
rainwater.
- Hydrolysis - Breakdown of feldspar into china clay by reaction of carbonic acid
with water. (clay)
- Oxidation - breakdown of iron-rich minerals by RUSTING (rocks rich in iron)
- Hydration- Expansion of certain minerals due to the uptake of water. Minerals in
the rocks will absorb the water, therefore changing and getting bigger, and will
break apart the pieces of the rocks.
B. Erosion - Rocks are carried away from their source to one place or another by water or
wind (most go to water)
C. Deposition - Particles are deposited usually in water (can be oceans, seas, etc.) They are
deposited because they are pulled down by gravity. They come layer by layer.
D. Compaction - particles will be squeezed down by pressure, therefore are compacted
(layers of sediments)
E. Cementation - minerals in the water would stick and glue together the particles and make
the rocks. (lithification)
(3 Types of Sedimentary Rocks)
1. Clastic Sediments - Big sediments stick together (Conglomerate, Claystone, Sandstone,
Siltstone)
2. Chemical Sediments - are formed from minerals and rocks that are dissolved in water
(processes in the water) - Gypsum,
3. Organic Sediments - remains of once living organisms, called fossils.
“Igneous rocks and sedimentary rocks undergo changes. Heat and pressure bring about
both physical and chemical changes in rock-forming minerals.”
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
When new rocks are formed due to these changes, the result is called metamorphic
rocks. The process of changing rocks from igneous or sedimentary to metamorphic rocks is
called metamorphism.
(formation)
1. Contact Metamorphism – this happens when heat is transferred by direct contact of a
parent rock to a heat source and also with an older rock with a higher temperature.
- As heat is transferred, recrystallization proceeds.
- Active chemical fluids also play a part in changing the parent rock.
- Rocks that are formed by contact metamorphism are then called non-foliated
metamorphic rocks.
2. Regional Metamorphism – this happens as a tectonic process and as a function of mountain
chain production.
- It is a known basic principle in geology that when mountains are being formed, some
plates move making heat and pressure rise underneath the Earth.
- And when a pre-existing or parent rocks’ flat or elongated minerals are met by the said
pressure and heat perpendicularly, the rocks are being changed slowly.
- And if the process continues over time, aside from alteration, foliation in the rocks will
also occur.
- Foliation basically means banded appearance mostly on top of the rocks.
- Rocks that are formed by regional metamorphism are then called foliated metamorphic
rocks.