Systems Plus College Foundation

Mc Arthur Highway 2024 Balibago, Angeles City Pampanga, Philippines

Written Report

Rocks
Submitted by:
Galang, Reinaleen C.
Gamboa, Daniella O.
Nicdao, Khrisha Kate SM.

Submitted to:
Mrs. Lilibeth Abuy

I. Objective
After completing this topic, you will be able to understand the significance
of rocks for and also to identify and classify the rocks.

II. Contents
What are rocks?
In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of one
or moreminerals or mineraloids. For example, the common rock granite is a
combination of the quartz, feldspar and biotite minerals. The Earth's outer solid
layer, thelithosphere, is made of rock.
But what exactly is a rock?
To geologists, a rock is a natural substance composed of solid crystals of
different minerals that have been fused together into a solid lump. The minerals
may or may not have been formed at the same time. What matters is that natural
processes glued them all together.
There are three basic types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks got their name from Latin ignis for fire.
When molten rock solidifies at the surface (called lava), it is called Extrusive
igneous rocks or volcanic. Igneous rocks formed at depth are referred to as
Intrusive igneous rocks.
Intrusive igneous rocks crystallize below Earth's surface, and the slow cooling
that occurs there allows large crystals to form. Examples of intrusive igneous
rocks are diorite, gabbro, and granite.

Diorite

Gabbro

Granite

Extrusive igneous rocks erupt onto the surface, where they cool quickly to form
small crystals. Some cool so quickly that they form an amorphous glass. These
rocks include andesite, basalt, obsidian, and rhyolite.

Andesite

Basalt

Obsidian

Rhyolite

Igneous rocks may be characterized by their texture and composition. Texture

describes the overall appearance of the igneous rocks based on the size, shape,
and arrangement of the interlocking crystals. The rate of cooling strongly
influences the crystal size. Rapid cooling results into the formation of small
crystals.
Coarse- grained grains (crystals) can be seen with bare eyes
Medium- grained grains can only be seen through a hand lens
Fine- grained grains can only seen through the microscope

The mineral composition is based on the chemical makeup of the parent magma.
They may be divided according to light and dark colored materials such as:
Light- colored, like granite and rhyolite, composed of feldspar and quartz
Medium- colored, including diorite and andesite
Dark- colored, including gabbro rock and basalt, composed mainly of pyroxene,
calcium- rich plagioclase feldspar.
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation of sediments. Sediments
result from the uplifting and weathering, which are then transported and
deposited in different areas. Fossils are only found in sedimentary rocks.
Lithification- the process by which the sediments are transformed into solid
sedimentary rock.
Compaction- one of the most common processes, this forms part of the process
of lithification.
Shale- a fine-grained sedimentary rock, is formed through compaction.
Cementation- hardening and welding of clastic sediments (those formed from
preexisting rock fragments) by the precipitation of mineral matter in the pore
spaces. It is the last stage in the formation of a sedimentary rock.
As layer upon layer of sediments are accumulated, they carry with them the
records of the nature of the environment at the time the sediments are deposited.
These layers are called strata.
Strata- they are the distinctive characteristics of sedimentary rocks.

Types of Sedimentary Rocks

1. Detrimental sedimentary rocks- these rocks come from weathered rocks
such as igneous rocks.
2. Chemical sedimentary rocks- these rocks come from soluble materials
produced largely by chemical weathering.

Limestone

Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks came from preexisting rocks called parent rocks ( also
referred to as sun, refers to the original rock from which something else was
formed. normally has a large influence on the nature of the resulting soil.) . the
preexisting rocks may undergo changes in the mineralogy, texture (like gain
size), and the chemical composition by the action of heat, pressure (stress), and
chemical agents. Exposure to these extreme conditions has altered the
mineralogy, texture, and chemical composition of the rocks. The process of
transformation of parent rocks is called metamorphism
Three agents of metamorphism and their effects

 Heat its when the rock formed at the surface of Earth are transplanted
to greater depth. Contributes to the process in two ways. First, atoms
may combine differently at different temperatures.

Pressure also has two effects. As with heat, it can control which
minerals or forms of minerals are stable. Some minerals may be
converted to minerals with similar composition but different atomic
packing simply because pressure is increased. At greater depth,
minerals may recrystallize into new minerals

Chemical agents (fluids) these include water, carbon dioxide, and

another volatile materials serve only to speed up other metamorphic
processes, or perhaps even allow them to happen at all. Chemical
reactions require water, and most proceed much faster as the amount of
water goes up.
Examples of metamorphic rocks
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock that is created by the
alteration of shale or mudstone by low-grade regional metamorphism. It is
popular for a wide variety of uses such as roofing, flooring, and flagging because
of its durability and attractive appearance.
Gneiss is a foliated metamorphic rock identified by its bands and lenses of
varying composition, while other bands contain granular minerals with an
interlocking texture.
Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to the
heat and pressure of metamorphism. It is composed primarily of the
mineral calcite (CaCO3) and usually contains other minerals, such as clay
minerals, micas, quartz, pyrite, iron oxides, and graphite. Is popular in building
stone because of its color (pink, gray, green and black)

Slate

Gneiss

Marble

III. References
Meaning of Rocks
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/inside-the-earth/rocksarticle/
Igneous Rocks
http://geology.com/rocks/igneous-rocks.shtml
Examples of Igneous Rocks
http://geology.com/rocks/igneous-rocks.shtml
Sedimentary Rocks
http://geology.com/rocks/sedimentary-rocks.shtml
Compaction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compaction_(geology)
Cementation
https://www.britannica.com/science/cementation-sedimentary-rock
Example of Chemical sedimentary rocks
http://geology.com/rocks/limestone.shtml
Parent rocks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parent_rock
The Agents of Metamorphism and Their Effects
http://itc.gsw.edu/faculty/bcarter/physgeol/metrx/agents.htm
Slate
http://geology.com/rocks/slate.shtml
Gneiss
http://geology.com/rocks/gneiss.shtml
Marble
http://geology.com/rocks/marble.shtml