The Rock Cycle
Types of Rocks
Igneous: formed from volcanic activity
Sedimentary: formed from organic matter, and sediments compressed over time
Metamorphic: formed by intense heat and pressure over time
Useful for...
Geologic Processes
Weathering
Plate Tectonics
Erosion Processes
Convergent Plate Boundaries: when two plates move towards one another.
Transform Plate Boundaries: those where two plates slide past one another
Divergent Plate boundaries: two plates move apart from one another
Physical Weathering: breaking down of rock into smaller particles by wind, water, physical movement, ice, tree roots, etc.
Chemical Weathering: breaking down of rock into smaller particles by chemical processes such as those from lichens/animals, acid rain, rust formation, etc.
Erosion:rock particles are broken down and transported by an agent such as wind water or ice.
Sedimentation/deposition: laying down of sediment carried by wind, water, or ice.
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Learning about formation of our planet
Fossil Record
Understanding earthquakes, erosion, other natural disasters
Rocks provide humans with many crucial metals, minerals, and raw materials needed for life
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The sun
Heat from Earth's core
water
Characterized by crystal bands
characterized by bubbles, or shiny luster
characterized by layered softer materials and often contain fossils
Ocean rift zones, constructive, (ocean lithosphere created), islands formed, volcanic activity
Destructive boundary, ocean plates can be destroyed, often has volcanic activity, formation of mountain ranges.
No volcanic activity, conservative (no creation or degradation of plates), causes earthquakes