Earth Systems
Chapter 3 Notes
Rocks
Ch. 3.1-The Rock Cycle
*Rocks are any solid mass of _____________________ or ______________________ matter occurring
naturally as part of our planet.
*Types of Rocks1. _____________________ rock is formed by the crystallization of molten magma.
2. ______________________ rock is formed from the weathered products of preexisting rocks
that have been transported, deposited, compacted, and cemented.
3. _______________________ rock is formed by the alteration of pre-existing rock deep within
Earth (but still in the solid state) by heat, pressure, and/or chemically active fluids.
The Rock Cycle
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Shows the interrelationships among the three rock types (igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic)
________________ is molten material that forms deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
____________ is magma that reaches the surface.
___________________________ is a process in which rocks are broken down by water, air, and
living things.
______________________ is weathered pieces of Earth elements.
Energy that drives the rock cycle-Processes driven by heat from the Earth’s interior are responsible for forming both
_____________ rock and ________________________ rock.
-___________________________ and the movement of weathered materials are external
processes powered by energy from the sun.
-External processes (weathering, etc.) produce _______________________ rocks.
Ch. 3.2-Igneous Rocks
Formation of Igneous Rocks
1) __________________ igneous rocks are formed when magma hardens beneath Earth’s surface.
2) _______________________ igneous rocks are formed when lava hardens.
Classification of Igneous Rocks
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Igneous rocks can be classified based on their ____________________ and ________________.
1) Texture
 Coarse-grained texture is caused by slow cooling resulting in ________________ crystals
(_____________________).
 Fine-grained texture is caused by rapid cooling resulting in __________________,
interconnected mineral grains (________________________).
 _______________________ texture is caused by very rapid cooling.
 ______________________________ texture is caused by different rates of cooling
resulting in varied sized minerals.
2) Composition
 _________________ composition rocks are made mostly of light-colored
________________ and _______________________.
 _______________________ composition rocks are made mostly of dark-colored silicate
minerals and plagioclase feldspar.
 _______________________composition rocks are between granitic light-color minerals
and basaltic composition dark-colored minerals.
 ___________________________ composition rocks are made mostly from iron and
magnesium-rich minerals.
Ch. 3.2-Sedimentary Rocks
Formation of Sedimentary Rocks
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___________________________ is a process that squeezes, or compacts, sediments.
______________________________ takes place when dissolved minerals are deposited in the
tiny spaces among the sediments.
_____________________________ involves the weathering and the removal of rock.
_________________________ occurs when an agent of erosion—water, wind, ice, or gravity—
loses energy and drops sediments.
Two Main Groups of sedimentary rocks
1) _______________________ sedimentary rocks are composed of weathered bits of rocks
and minerals.
 Classified by _________________ size
 Common rocks include:
 ______________________(most abundant)
 ___________________________
 ___________________________
2) ____________________________ sedimentary rocks form when dissolved substances
precipitate, or separate, from water.
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Common rocks include:
 _______________________—most abundant chemical rock
 microcrystalline __________________ known as chert, flint, jasper, or agate
 _______________________such as rock salt or gypsum
 _________________________
Features of sedimentary rocks are clues to _______________ and _____________________ the rocks
are formed
_________________________________ are only found in sedimentary rocks – Why?
Ch. 3.4-Metamorphic Rocks
Formation of Metamorphic Rocks
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Metamorphism means “_______________________________________________.”
 Most metamorphic changes occur at elevated
____________________________and_____________________________.
 Conditions for formation are found a few kilometers below the Earth’s
surface and extend into the upper mantle.
1) ____________________________________ metamorphism occurs when
magma moves into rock.
o Occurs near a body of magma
o Changes are driven by a rise in __________________________.
2) ___________________________________ metamorphism results in large-scale
deformation and high-grade metamorphism.
o Directed pressures and high temperatures occur during
___________________________________________.
o Produces the greatest ____________________________________ of
metamorphic rock.
Agents of Metamorphism
1) Heat
o Provides the ________________ needed to drive chemical reactions
2) Pressure
o Causes a more ____________________rock with greater density
3) Hydrothermal Solutions
o Hot water-based solutions escaping from the mass of
_________________ promote recrystallization by _________________
original minerals and then ___________________________ new ones.
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Classification of Metamorphic Rocks
 Two main categories:
1) _____________________________ Metamorphic Rock
o Has a banded or layered appearance
2) ________________________________________ Metamorphic Rock
o Does not have a banded texture