Rocks and Minerals
Project
By: Sara Covelli
Minerals
Minerals are naturally
occurring. They are solid
and have a definite
chemical composition and
definite internal
arrangement of atoms.
Characteristics of
Minerals
The characteristics of minerals
are identified by the physical
properties the chemical
properties and the internal
arrangement of the atoms.
Another characteristic of
minerals are color, streak,
luster, hardness and fracture.
Mineral Samples
This is the mineral sulfur. It is
non metallic and has cleavage.
The color is yellow to amber and
has a white/yellow streak.
Mineral Samples
This is the mineral rose
quartz. It is fracture and has
colors that range from white
to pink. The streak is mostly
white.
Mineral Samples
This mineral olivine can be many different
colors. This mineral can be green, grey or
brown. It is fracture and the streak depends
on the color of the mineral.
Mineral samples
This mineral is called talc. It has
cleavage and has a white to green
color. Mostly the streak is white
but it also could be a little grey
Igneous Rocks
All rocks are defined by where
they come from and their
origin. Igneous rocks undergo
melting and solidification.
The word igneous by
definition means fire
formed.
Extrusive Igneous Rock
Magma is melted rock inside a
volcano.When the volcano
erupts the magma comes to the
surface and turns into “lava”.
The cooling of the lava on
earths surface is known as an
extrusive igneous rock.
Extrusive rock looks fine and
has a glassy texture.
Intrusive Igneous
Rock
Magma that cools below earths
surface is what is known to be
intrusive igneous rock. Over 75% of
earth’s crust is granite an
intrusive igneous rock. The natural
forces of earth (or the tectonic
forces) cause so much granite to be
above ground. Intrusive rock has a
course texture.
Felsic Igneous Rock
Felsic rocks are light colored
and have a low density. They
are high in aluminum, silica,
p otassium feldspar,quartz,
plagioclase f eldspar,
biotite, and amphibole. They
do not contain pryoxine or
olivine.
Mafic Igneous Rock
Dark colored rocks with a high
density. They are high in
magnesium, iron, plagioclase
Feldspar, biotite, pryoxine,
olivine and amphibole. Mafic
igneous rocks do not contain
quartz or k feldspar
(potassium).
Igneous Rock Sample
Texture
Coarse
Environment
Intrusive
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Felsic
Minerals
K Feldspar,
Amphibol, Granite,
Biotite & GRANITE
Plagioclase Feldspar
Igneous Rock Sample
Texture
Coarse
grained
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Intrusive
Composition
Mafic
GABBRO
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are classified
according to their grain size.
Sedimentary rocks may contain the
remains of ancient organisms
called fossils. Fossils are only
found in sedimentary rocks
because if they were in igneous
rocks or metamorphic rocks the
fossil would melt.
Clastic Sedimentary
Rocks
Clastic rocks are formed from
compaction & cementation of
sediments. They are
classified by grain size.
They are chemically &/or
organically formed. They
evaporate from water and can
precipitate out of water.
Bioclastic Sedimentary
Rocks
Bioclastic rocks are made
from compaction and
cementation of formerly
living organisms.
Sedimentary Rock
Sample
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Halite= rock salt
Sedimentary Rock
Sample
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Calcite=limestone
Metamorphic Rock
The re-crystallization of
existing rock due to
intense heat and pressure
Foliation= Banding
Crystals are arranged in
layers. Alternating colors
of bands of light and dark
minerals.
Non Foliation
Not banded and usually
quartzite
Regional Metamorphism
Regional metamorphism is a
type of Metamorphism that
occurs in large areas.
Contact metamorphism
Contact metamorphism is a
change due to contact
with hot magma or lava.
It occurs only where
contact occurred.
The Rock Cycle
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The Rock Cycle
Sediments can be compressed and
cemented to become a sedimentary
rock. Sedimentary and igneous rock
can be changed by intense heat and
pressure to become a metamorphic
rock, existing rock can be melted
and recrystallized to make igneous
rock and existing rock can be
weathered producing sediments.
My Pet Rock
My pet rock is a metamorphic
rock that has garnet crystals.
My family and I found this
rock at the garnet mine on
Gore mountain in upstate New
The End
