Geosphere, Rocks and Minerals

lava that hardens into rough, jagged rocks with a crumbly texture

a rock composed of a collection of small particles, minerals, or smaller pieces (like coquina)

relatively flat surfaces along which sedimentary rocks tend to separate or break (layers)

A process in making sedimentary rock where a layer of sediments is buried under subsequent layers.

A non-silicate group of minerals that contain carbon and oxygen compounds (CO3)

A process in making sedimentary rock in which new minerals form between sediments to bind them all together.

the tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weak bonding leaving flat surfaces. One of the physical properties of minerals useful in identification.

the color of a mineral sample recognized by inspection. One of the physical properties of minerals useful in identification.

Part of the formation of sedimentary rocks. When sediments are deeply buried, the pressure of overlying layers squashes the grains together more tightly.

A combination of elements

The geological process in which sediments, soil and rocks are added to a landform or land mass.

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by chemical or physical means. Symbols will be a capital letter or capital letter plus 1 lowercase letter on the periodic table of elements. Some minerals are elements.

The metamorphic rock texture in which mineral grains are arranged in planes or bands.

When minerals break in directions other than along cleavage surfaces (i.e. not along flat planes).

resistance of a mineral to scratching. Described on a scale from 1-10 with one being softest.

Comes from magma, tectonic plate movement or deep burial. Process that creates metamorphic rocks.

a type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock at or below the surface

not formed from living things or the remains of living things. Was never alive.

molten (hot liquid) rock that has reached the surface

The way a mineral reflects light. Two main types are metallic and non-metallic. One of the physical properties of minerals useful in identification.

molten (hot liquid) rock located below the surface

As magma cools, atoms within it slow down and bond into crystalline solids/minerals. The longer it takes for the magma to cool, the larger the crystals grow.

The process of changing a rock back into magma or lava by applying heat.

A type of rock that forms from an existing rock that is changed by heat &/or pressure.

a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid that possesses a definite chemical composition and structure which gives it a unique set of physical properties

a scale ranking ten minerals from softest to hardest; used in testing the hardness of minerals.

A non-silicate mineral group of minerals that contain only 1 element.

made through non-human activity.

Not made by humans. One of the 5 criteria of a mineral.

A non-silicate mineral group of minerals that contain a metal and an oxygen in the compound.

A hot, fast-moving type of lava that hardens to form smooth, ropelike coils

Characteristics of minerals that help with identification created by the mineral's unique combination of chemical composition and arrangement of atoms.

The method of forming minerals from water with dissolved atoms/ions in it that either a) becomes supersaturated (ex: hydrothermal) OR evaporates (ex: salt flats).

The mineral process where pressure and heat are applied, atoms, molecules and ions break bonds and recombine in new combinations and alignments forming new minerals.

An group of minerals bound together

A type of rock that typically forms when sediment goes through the 4 part process of deposition, burial, compaction and cementation. Can also chemically precipitate directly from water.

A type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together

broken pieces of rock, categorized by size

Most common mineral family, makes up 90% of the crust, contain silicon and oxygen compound.

The cooling of magma or lava to form igneous rock.

color of a mineral's powder left behind on a ceramic plate. One of the physical properties of minerals useful in identification. Especially for metallic minerals.

A non-silicate group of minerals that contains sulfur as part of the compound

Processes that break down a rock to form sediments.

a very large mineral sample

Dense, dark igneous rock that makes up the mantle.

the separation of materials based on density

boundary between crust and mantle