Rocks
Rocks are mineral aggregates with a combination of properties of all the mineral traces.
Any unique combination of chemical composition, mineralogy, grain size, texture, or other
distinguishing characteristics can describe rock types. Additionally, different classification
systems exist for each major type of rock. There are different types of rocks existing in nature.
Rocks which are found in nature rarely show such simple characteristics and usually
exhibit some variation in the set of properties as the measurement scale changes.
Types of Rocks
Igneous Rocks | Sedimentary Rocks | Metamorphic Rocks
Igneous Rock
Igneous rock is one of the three main rock types. Igneous rock is formed through
the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. Igneous rock may form with or without
crystallisation, either below the surface as intrusive (plutonic) rocks or on the surface as
extrusive (volcanic) rocks.
This magma can be derived from partial melts of existing rocks in either a
planet’s mantle or crust. Typically, the melting is caused by one or more of three
processes: an increase in temperature, a decrease in pressure, or a change in
composition.
Types of Igneous Rock
Intrusive igneous rock: These rocks crystallise below the earth’s surface resulting
in large crystals as the cooling takes place slowly. Diorite, granite, and pegmatite
are examples of intrusive igneous rocks.
Extrusive igneous rock: These rocks erupt onto the surface resulting in small
crystals as the cooling takes place quickly. The cooling rate for a few rocks is so
quick that they form an amorphous glass. Basalt, tuff, and pumice are examples of
extrusive igneous rock.
Igneous Rock Examples
1. Granites- is hard, light-colored, coarse-grained
intrusive igneous rock with mostly quartz,
feldspar, and a small amount of amphibole, mica,
and other minerals. Uses of granite include
dimensional, paving, or landscaping stone and
making buildings, bridges, or monuments.
2. Basalt- is common dark-colored (mafic), fine-
grained, extrusive igneous rock formed with low
viscosity lava cools fast. Some uses of basalt
include crushed to make aggregate for
construction, road ballast or drain field filters,
and as a dimensional stone.
3. Obsidian (volcanic glass)- glassy, silica-rich
(>65%) volcanic igneous rock formed by rapid
cooling of lava that gives time for no formation
of crystals. Historically, obsidian has made
weapons, ornaments, mirrors, and some tools.
Other uses are as an ornament, making
sculptures, etc.
4. Pumice- is a light-colored vesicular extrusive
igneous rock formed from violent volcanic
eruptions. Uses of pumice include making
aggregate for low density and insulative bocks
or concrete.
5. Tuff- is a soft, porous, volcanic igneous rock. It
forms when magma, ash, or rock blasted into
the air by explosive volcanic rock settles, is
compacted, and cemented. Tuff’s main use is
in construction, i.e., building walls or houses,
making construction aggregate, etc.
6. Rhyolite- is a light-colored (pink, gray, or
reddish) fine-grained to glassy silica-rich
extrusive igneous rock. Its fractured nature
makes rhyolite have few uses in manufacturing
or construction. But people use it as crushed
stone when there are no other options.
7. Diorite- is hard, intermediate (moderate in
silica, low in alkali metals), and coarse-grained
intrusive igneous rock. Diorite is a hard and
durable stone comparable to granite. Its uses
are making construction aggregate or drainage
stones.
8. Andesite- is an intermediate (52%-63% silica),
fine-grained to porphyritic volcanic
rock. Andesite is dark gray or bluish-gray to
gray but lighter than basalt. Uses include
making aggregate (not for concrete) or fill, slip-
resistant tiles, sculptures, monuments, and
landscaping.
9. Gabbro- is a dark-colored, coarse-grained
intrusive igneous rock. Since it accepts
polishing, gabbro, solid as black granite in the
dimensional stone market, and it makes kitchen
countertops, facing stones, floor tiles, cemetery
markers, or other dimension stones.
10. Scoria- is one of the vesicular dark-colored
(mafic) volcanic glass that may have crystals or
not. Scoria makes lightweight aggregate and
concrete. This concrete offers great insulation.
Also, you can use it as roofing granules, a
ground cover, and a hydroponic gardening
substrate.
Sedimentary Rock
The sedimentary rocks are formed by the deposition and subsequent
cementation of that material within bodies of water and at the surface of the earth. The
process that causes various organic materials and minerals to settle in a place is
termed sedimentation.
The particles that form a sedimentary rock by accumulating are called sediment.
Before being deposited, the sediment was formed by weathering and erosion from the
source area and then transported to the place of deposition by water, wind, ice, mass
movement or glaciers, which are called agents of denudation. Sedimentation may also
occur as minerals precipitate from water solution or shells of aquatic creatures settle out
of suspension.
Types of Sedimentary Rock
1. Clastic sedimentary rocks: These rocks are formed from the mechanical
weathering debris. Sandstone, and siltstone are examples of clastic sedimentary
rocks.
2. Chemical sedimentary rocks: These rocks are formed from the dissolved
materials that precipitate from the solution. Iron ore and limestones are
examples of chemical sedimentary rocks.
3. Organic sedimentary rocks: These rocks are formed from the accumulation of
plant and animal debris. Coal, and some dolomites are examples of organic
sedimentary rocks.
Sedimentary Rock Examples
1. Coal- belongs to organic sedimentary rocks are
made up of the buildup of decomposed plant
material in a swampy environment. Coal is
combustible in nature and is frequently extracted
for use as fuel.
2. Conglomerates- are clastic sedimentary rocks
composed of semi-rounded rock fragments
cemented together. Conglomerates fragments
are commonly deposited along the shoreline or
stream channel and they are pea-sized or larger.
They are also sometimes referred to as pudding
stone.
3. Siltstone- are composed of small-sized rock
particles that are finer than sand grains but
coarser than clay. It is among the clastic
sedimentary rocks which are the most difficult to
identify since it appears almost similar to fine-
grained sandstone or a coarse shale.
4. Sandstone- are clastic sedimentary rocks made
up of cemented sand grains. Sandstones are
generally white, red, gray, pink, black, or brown
in color.
5. Shale- consists of clay minerals or clay-sized
pieces that have been compacted by the weight of the overlying rock
materials. Shales are of many colors including gray, red, brown, or black
depending on their composition of iron oxides and organic materials.
6. Dolomite- are chemical sedimentary
rocks that almost resemble calcite. The
similarity is because dolomite at first begins to
take shape as limestone but they are
later chemically altered through the
substitution of some of its calcium by magnesium.
7. Chert- are chemical sedimentary rocks formed
due to the deposition of cryptocrystalline quartz.
Cherts are of dull brown or gray in color and are
often found as nodules firmly enclosed in
limestones.
8. Limestone- are chemical sedimentary rocks made up of the mineral calcite.
They may be hard to visually identify. Their colors vary from brown, dark
gray, to light gray.
9. Rock Salt- is chemical sedimentary rocks often
made up of the mineral sodium chloride. Salt is
colorless or white and might be colored when
mixed with impurities such as clay or iron oxide.
[Link]- belongs to chemical sedimentary
rocks. It is soft and can be easily bruised. It is
usually white in color and is used to produce
plaster of Paris.
Metamorphic Rock
The metamorphic rocks make up a large part of the Earth’s crust and are
classified by texture and by chemical and mineral assemblage. They may be formed
simply by being deep beneath the Earth’s surface, subjected to high temperatures and
the great pressure of the rock layers above it.
Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock types, in a
process called metamorphism, which means “change in form”. The original rock is
subjected to heat with temperatures greater than 150 to 200°C and pressure around
1500 bars, causing profound physical and/or chemical change.
Types of Metamorphic Rock
1. Foliated metamorphic rocks: These rocks are produced by exposure to heat
and pressure which makes them appear layered. Phyllite and gneiss are
examples of foliated metamorphic rocks.
2. Non-foliated metamorphic rocks: These rocks don’t have layers. Marble and
quartzite are examples of non-foliated metamorphic rocks.
3.
Metamorphic Rock Examples
1. Amphibolite- is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms through
recrystallization under conditions of high viscosity and directed pressure. It is
composed primarily of hornblende (amphibole) and plagioclase, usually with very
little quartz.
2. Anthracite- is the highest rank of coal. It has been
exposed to enough heat and pressure that most of
the oxygen and hydrogen have been driven off,
leaving a high-carbon material behind. It has a
bright, lustrous appearance and breaks with a semi-
conchoidal fracture. It is often referred to as "hard
coal"; however, this is a layman's term and has little
to do with the hardness of the rock.
3. Gneiss- is a foliated metamorphic rock that has a
banded appearance and is made up of granular
mineral grains. It typically contains abundant quartz
or feldspar minerals.
4. Hornfels- is a fine-grained nonfoliated metamorphic
rock with no specific composition. It is produced by
contact metamorphism. Hornfels is a rock that was
"baked" while near a heat source such as a magma
chamber, sill, or dike.
5. Lapis Lazuli- the famous blue gem material, is
actually a metamorphic rock. Most people are
surprised to learn that, so we added it to this photo
collection as a surprise. Blue rocks are rare, and we
bet that it captured your eye.
6. Mariposite- is a word that has been used in many ways. It can refer to green
mica minerals, or metamorphic rocks that contain enough green mica to impart a
green color. Gold prospectors learned that gold could be found in areas where
these green rocks were present.
7. Quartzite- is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that is
produced by the metamorphism of sandstone. It is
composed primarily of quartz.
8. Schist- is a metamorphic rock with well-developed
foliation. It often contains significant amounts of mica
which allow the rock to split into thin pieces. It is a
rock of intermediate metamorphic grade between
phyllite and gneiss.
9. Soapstone- is a metamorphic rock that consists
primarily of talc with varying amounts of other
minerals such as micas, chlorite, amphiboles,
pyroxenes, and carbonates. It is a soft, dense, heat-
resistant rock that has a high specific heat capacity.
10. Skarn- is a rock characterized by its formation rather
than its mineral composition. It often forms when
carbonate rocks near a magma body are altered by
contact metamorphism and metasomatism.
References:
BYJU'S.(March 24, 2023). Types of rocks - igneous: Sedimentary rocks: Metamorphic
rocks. Retrieved from:[Link] .
Earth Eclipse. (July 19, 2022). Sedimentary rocks: Formation, types and examples.
Retrieved from: [Link]
[Link]
HOME PURSUIT. (September 4, 2022). 20 Examples of Igneous Rocks, Types (Intrusive
and Extrusive), Textures, and Uses. Retrieved from:
[Link] rock/
King H. (n.a). Pictures of Metamorphic Rocks- Photos of Common Foliated and Non-
Foliated Metamorphic Rock Type. Retrieved from:
[Link]