• Rocks are naturally occurring solid masses
of mineral matter that make up the Earth's
crust, formed through geological processes.
They are classified into three main types
based on their formation:
• igneous, formed from cooled magma or
lava
• sedimentary, formed from the
compaction and cementation of
sediments like sand and shells
• metamorphic, formed when existing
rocks are transformed by heat and
pressure.
Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks need high rock-melting heat similar to the
temperature of the primitive earth. The term igneous comes from
the Latin word ignis which means fire. It is formed in temperatures
not lower than 700°C.
How can a geologist differentiate one type of igneous rock from
the other?
Learn about It
Igneous Rocks
• Igneous rocks are formed from
solidification of magma or lava
which flows out from depth.
• Minerals such as quartz, feldspar,
pyroxene, olivine, amphibole, and
mica are the components of almost
Basalt, an example of an
all types of igneous rocks.
igneous rock
Learn about It
Formation of Igneous Rock
• Igneous rocks are
characterized by intergrowth
of crystals and/or volcanic
glass.
• Crystal size is directly
proportional to the cooling
Gabbro, an igneous rock
rate of magma.
Learn about It
Formation of Igneous Rock
• Big crystals are formed
deep underground, while
smaller crystals are
formed near the surface.
Cooling and crystal formation
Bowen’s reaction series is a general model created to show the
progression of silicate crystallization at specific temperature.
Learn about It
Types of Igneous Rocks
• An extrusive igneous rock forms
when magma or volcanic fragments
erupt and solidify on Earth’s surface
which results in very fine-grained
rock with very small crystals that
could not be seen through naked
eye. The eruption of magma on
Earth’s surface produces
extrusive igneous rocks
Learn about It
Types of Igneous Rocks
• An intrusive igneous rock
forms when magma
crystallizes within the crust
and is composed of
medium to coarse grains. It
is also known as a plutonic
rock.
Formation of intrusive
igneous rock
Learn about It
Naming of Igneous Rocks
• Igneous rocks can be named using the binary system which
is mainly based on its texture and composition of the
rock.
Classifying igneous rocks based on texture and composition.
Composition (silica content)
Texture Felsic Intermediate Mafic
extrusive (volcanic) rhyolite andesite basalt
intrusive (plutonic) granite diorite gabbro
Sedimentary Rocks
Learn about It
Sedimentary Rocks
• Sedimentary rocks were
formed from organic,
mechanical or chemical
sediments.
• A process called lithification is
where harden sediments
become sedimentary rocks. Coquina, a sedimentary rock
Learn about It
Formation of Sedimentary Rock
• Diagenesis is a collective process where sediments are
lithified (becomes rock). It has four main parts:
• Compaction
• Cementation
• Recrystallization
• Chemical changes (oxidation/reduction)
Learn about It
Types of Sedimentary Rock
Examples of non-clastic sedimentary rocks
• Non-clastic Composition Texture (grain size) Rock Name
sedimentary rocks can chert (light color)
quartz very fine crystalline
be biological, chemical, flint (dark color)
or a combination of fine to coarse
gypsum rock gypsum
both. crystalline
fine to coarse
halite rock salt
crystalline
altered plant fine-grained
bituminous coal
fragments organic matter
Learn about It
Examples of Non-clastic sedimentary rocks
chert rock gypsum
Learn about It
Classification of sedimentary rocks
Types of based on particle size.
Sedimentary Rock Texture (grain size) Sediment name Rock name
gravel (rounded
• Clastic sedimentary coarse fragments) conglomerate
rocks are made up of (over 2 mm) gravel (angular
breccia
sediments from fragments)
preexisting rocks. medium
sand sandstone
(1/16 to 2 mm)
fine
silt siltstone
(1/16 to 1/256 mm)
very fine
clay shale
(< 1/256 mm)
Learn about It
Examples of clastic sedimentary rocks
shale breccia
Learn about It
Types of Sedimentary Rock
• Biological sedimentary rocks are lithified accumulation
of dead organisms.
• Chemical sedimentary rocks form from chemical
precipitation
Learn about It
This figure shows an example
of how to identify
sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphic Rocks
Learn about It
Metamorphic Rocks
• Metamorphic rocks are rocks
that have been altered, changed,
or transformed in the solid state
due to changes in pressure,
temperature conditions, and
chemical actions of hot fluids.
Slate, a metamorphic rock
Learn about It
Formation of Metamorphic Rocks
• Metamorphism refers to the alteration of rocks due to
different factors, like temperature and pressure. There are
many ways by which this occurs.
Learn about It
Formation of Metamorphic Rocks
Changes in minerals during
metamorphism can happen in three
possible ways.
1. Recrystallization occurs when
small crystals of one mineral
will slowly convert to fewer,
larger crystals of the same
Shale (top) can change
mineral without melting the its mineral assemblage
rock. into schist (bottom)
during metamorphism.
Learn about It
Formation of Metamorphic Rocks
2. Neomorphism is the process whereby minerals not only
recrystallize, but also form different minerals from the
same chemical elements.
3. Metasomatism is the addition or loss of elements new
minerals form with only some of the original elements,
and new elements were added through hydrothermal
migration.
Learn about It
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
• Contact metamorphism
occurs only at a local area
adjacent to large
intrusions and along
fractures that are in
contact with hot fluids.
Contact metamorphism.
Learn about It
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
• Regional metamorphism
occurs when there are
major igneous intrusions,
presence of extreme
pressure and heat due to
deep burial.
Regional metamorphism.
Learn about It
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
• Foliated metamorphic
rocks are formed when
parallel planes of platy or
elongated minerals
creating what is called as
foliations.
Increasing metamorphism causes
distinct bands or foliation to form.
Learn about It
Examples of Foliated Metamorphic Rocks
slate schist
Learn about It
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
• Nonfoliated
metamorphic rocks
do not have layered
appearance.
Examples are marble,
quartzite, and
anthracite.
Some metamorphic rocks with their corresponding protoliths
Learn about It
Examples of Non-Foliated Metamorphic Rocks
quartzite marble
Learn about It
Rock Cycle
• The rock cycle shows
that all rocks are
related to each other.
• Igneous rocks can
change into
sedimentary or
metamorphic rocks.
Rock Cycle
Learn about It
Rock Cycle
• The rock cycle shows
that all rocks are
related to each other.
• Sedimentary rocks
may also transform
into igneous or
metamorphic rocks.
Rock Cycle
Learn about It
Rock Cycle
• The rock cycle shows
that all rocks are
related to each other.
• Metamorphic rocks
can change into all the
three rock types.
Rock Cycle
Learn about It
Classifying Rocks
• To identify an
unknown rock sample,
just follow this key
shown below for you
to be guided on
classifying the rock
sample in an accurate
manner.
Classifying Rock Types
Learn about It
Factors Affecting Weathering of Rocks
• Goldich stability series
illustrates the relative stability
or weathering rate of
numerous minerals. This
series is roughly the inverse
order of original crystallization
for minerals found in the
Bowen’s reaction series.
Goldich stability series