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Classification of common rocks and soils and more

by Dr J Floor Anthoni (2000)
www.seafriends.org.nz/enviro/soil/rocktbl.htm
On this page one finds an overview of common minerals, rocks, soils and their properties, and how they
relate. It is a reference source for studying soil. See also the geology glossary for further explanation of
geological terms. Since the chemical symbols of the elements are used here, also refer to the periodic
table of elements and abundance of elements.
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Introduction to this section

The processes inside a magma chamber deep under the surface, produce different kinds of rock,
depending on temperature and what has been happening to the process itself. It is an interesting melting
pot. Soil is caused by natural weathering of rock, under the influence of climatic factors and vegetation. 
Erosion, transportation and sedimentation rearrange the original minerals into new types of sedimentary
soil and rock. Accumulating layer upon layer and moved by tectonic plates, sediments become reheated
and compressed, thereby changing their structure. Eventually these may resurface as metamorphic rock.
This section also contains a summary of the most important soil orders, their properties and how they
formed. Finally the properties soil can have, are reviewed as well as some basic soil chemistry. The many
ways soil can degrade, ends this section.
Table of contents
Note that this table consists of four parts, contents (this page), part1, part2, part3 and important
tables
 Simple properties of rocks for field-testing.
 Classification
o Common rock minerals. These are the building blocks of rocks and precious stones.
o Clay layer structures. Clay is one of the most important minerals for mankind.
o Igneous rocks. Molten rock comes from deep in the earth and transforms into various
rock types.
 Classification of igneous rocks. One type smoothly grades into the next; intrusive
and extrusive rock.
 The processes inside a magma chamber. Inside gigantic cauldrons, many kinds
of rock are formed.
 Mineral formation from solid solution, describes part of the process in a magma
chamber.
o Sedimentary rocks. Erosion by water and wind, transport and sort soil components.
 Particle sizes: definitions for names of particles from boulder to silt.
 Sediment composition triangle: defining sedimental rock type from sand, clay and
carbonate content.
o Metamorphic rocks. Under pressure and heat, sedimentary rock transforms into new
forms.
 Soils of the world. Soils are the most variable of minerals, but there are some general classes.
o Classification of soils: their names, structures and properties
o Carbon fluxes and pools in terrestrial ecosystems, compares productivity and carbon
pools.
o Properties of soil: texture, structure, moisture, etc.
o Soil degradation: a systematic classification of the many ways soil is lost.
o Soil timescales: time scales in the history of soils
 Rock and soil chemistry.
 o Properties of soil: soil components, texture, structure, pore space, moisture, pH, CEC
and more.
o Soil degradation: a comprehensive summary of the many ways soil degrades and is lost
in both quantity and quality
o Soil time scales: tectonic movement, profile formation, soil formation, and more.
o Rock and soil chemistry: Bowen series, solid solution, cation exchange capacity and
more.

 
 Important tables: background information about the elements of life, chemistry and time tables,
on this web site.
o Abundance of elements in the universe, solar system, Earth, land, sea, plants and
animals
o Sea water: composition of seawater, including gases like CO2
o Periodic table of chemical elements, with a primer in chemistry. Essential elements for
life.
o History of the universe, solar system and planet Earth, geological time periods.
o Geological glossary: an explanation of geological terms, worth reading on its own.
For suggestions and corrections, please e-mail the author.
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