How Do Minerals Form
Crystallization- process of particles dissolved in
a liquid or melted, solidify and form a crystal.
Magma- molten (liquid) rock stored below
Earth’s surface.
Lava- molten rock on or above Earth’s surface.
Minerals Formed From Magma and
Lava
• As molten rock cools atoms and
ions arrange themselves and
form mineral crystals.
–Smaller crystals form faster.
(above ground)
–Larger crystals form slower.
(below ground)
Minerals Formed by Evaporation
• Cool solutions- water dissolves some minerals.
when water evaporates the solids come out
and crystallize forming mineral crystals.
– Ex: halite
• Hot solutions- Deep in the Earth’s crust hot
water flows through cracks and dissolves
minerals. Later when water cools, minerals
come out and form crystals.
– Ex: gold, copper
Minerals Formed By Metamorphism
• Some minerals are formed deep under high
pressure and high temperatures. When
brought to the surface they are less stable.