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Rocks and the Rock Cycle
Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and how they form.
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- RockTermA solid natural material made of one or more minerals
- Igneous rockTermRock formed when melted rock cools and hardens
- Sedimentary rockTermRock formed when sediments are pressed and cemented together
- Metamorphic rockTermRock changed by heat and pressure
- MagmaTermMelted rock beneath the surface
- LavaTermMelted rock that has reached the surface
- Intrusive igneous rockTermIgneous rock that cooled slowly underground, with large crystals
- Extrusive igneous rockTermIgneous rock that cooled quickly at the surface, with small crystals
- GraniteTermA light-colored intrusive igneous rock with visible crystals
- BasaltTermA dark, fine-grained extrusive igneous rock
- ObsidianTermNatural volcanic glass
- PumiceTermA light igneous rock full of holes that can float
- RhyoliteTermAn extrusive rock with the same makeup as granite
- GabbroTermA dark intrusive igneous rock
- SandstoneTermSedimentary rock made of cemented sand grains
- LimestoneTermSedimentary rock made mostly of calcium carbonate
- ShaleTermSedimentary rock made of compacted clay and mud
- ConglomerateTermSedimentary rock with rounded pebbles cemented in it
- BrecciaTermSedimentary rock with angular fragments cemented together
- CoalTermA sedimentary rock made from ancient plants
- ChalkTermA soft, white form of limestone
- MarbleTermMetamorphic rock formed from limestone
- SlateTermMetamorphic rock formed from shale; splits into flat sheets
- QuartziteTermMetamorphic rock formed from sandstone
- GneissTermA banded metamorphic rock formed from granite or similar rocks
- SchistTermMetamorphic rock that shines with mica flakes
- PhylliteTermMetamorphic rock between slate and schist
- WeatheringTermBreaking down of rock by wind, water, ice or plants
- ErosionTermMoving of weathered material from one place to another
- DepositionTermDropping of sediments in a new place
- SedimentTermSmall pieces of rock, shell or soil moved by water, wind or ice
- CompactionTermPressing sediments together under weight
- CementationTermMinerals gluing sediments together
- LithificationTermThe process that turns sediment into rock
- Rock cycleTermThe never-ending change of rocks from one type to another
- FoliatedTermHaving layers or bands, as in some metamorphic rocks
- CrystalTermA solid with atoms arranged in a repeating pattern
- FossilTermThe preserved remains or traces of ancient life
- Which rock type usually contains fossils?TermSedimentary
- StrataTermLayers of sedimentary rock
- Law of superpositionTermIn undisturbed layers, the oldest rock is at the bottom
- Core sampleTermA tube of rock or ice pulled from the ground for study
- GeologistTermA scientist who studies Earth and its rocks
- PetrologistTermA scientist who studies rocks
- SoilTermA mix of weathered rock, organic matter, water and air
- HumusTermDark, rich decayed plant and animal matter in soil
- TopsoilTermThe top soil layer, rich in nutrients
- BedrockTermSolid rock beneath soil
- ClayTermThe smallest soil particles
- SiltTermSoil particles of medium size
- SandTermSoil particles larger than silt and smaller than gravel
- LoamTermA balanced soil of sand, silt and clay
- Frost wedgingTermWater freezing in cracks and splitting rock
- Chemical weatheringTermRock changed by chemical reactions, like rusting
- Physical (mechanical) weatheringTermRock broken into smaller pieces without chemical change
- DeltaTermSediment fan built where a river meets a larger body of water
- GlacierTermA large moving mass of ice that carves the land
- Rock that forms from lava coolingTermIgneous
- Rock that forms from heat and pressure on other rocksTermMetamorphic
- Rock that forms in layersTermSedimentary
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