ROCK IDENTIFICATION
Liz LaRosa http://www.middleschoolscience.com 2009
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Marble
Metamorphic Non-Foliated Calcium Carbonate Metamorphism of Limestone
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Image Source
Limestone
Sedimentary Calcium Carbonate Forms in clear, warm, shallow marine waters Forms from the accumulation of shell, coral, algal and fecal debris
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock Most are Felsic Coarse Grained, can see crystals Contains quartz and feldspar
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Gneiss
Metamorphic Foliated Feldspar
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Image Source
Coal
Organic Sedimentary Rock Formed from plant remains
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Obsidian
Extrusive Igneous Rock Very quick cooling molten rock (lava) Glassy No crystals formed
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Image Source
Sandstone
Sedimentary Rock Formed by the action of wind, water, and ice on older rock Quartz cemented by silica or lime Most form in shallow seas
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Pumice
Felsic Extrusive Igneous Rock Quick cooling molten rock (lava) No crystals formed Many holes formed - gasses released Floats on water
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Scoria
Mafic Extrusive Igneous Rock Forms as a frothy crust on the top of a lava flow or as material ejected from a volcanic vent and solidifying while airborne No crystals formed Many holes formed - gasses released
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Basalt
Mafic Extrusive Igneous Rock Formed from dark dense lava Pyroxene, plagioclase feldspar Fine grained
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Slate
Foliated Metamorphic Rock Metamorphism of Shale Breaks into thin slices
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Hornfels
Non-Foliated Metamorphic Rock Fine grained crystals Metamorphism of clays or shales
What type of rock is this? Where or how is it formed?
Conglomerate
Sedimentary Rock Rounded pebbles inch or larger cemented together Formed near moving water Quartz, quartzite
Review
Can you compare and contrast the following sets of rocks?
Limestone
and Marble Granite and Gneiss Obsidian and Coal Sandstone, Pumice, and Scoria Basalt, Hornfels, and Slate Conglomerate and all the other rocks
