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Resources used to create this field guide:
Wooley, A. Usborne Spotter’s Guide: Rocks & Minerals. (1996).
Shaffer, P & Zim, H. Rocks and Minerals. (1957).
Special thanks to Ms. Shelley Gerrard for helping us to make more specific
identifications of our rock samples.
Contact Us
Mrs. Cardinal’s Grade 3 Class, Rm 109
Grade 3
Rocks
Field Guide
Kinuso School
Box 180
Kinuso, AB T0G 1K0
Phone: (780) 775-3694
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.kin.hpsd48.ab.ca/pages/Kinuso_School
KINUSO SCHOOL
Grade 3 Geologist’s Name:
Kinuso School
Box 180
Kinuso, AB T0G 1K0
Table of Contents
Types of Rocks .................................................................. 1-2
Minerals .................................................................................... 3
Rock Texture ........................................................................... 3
Glossary ........................................................................................................................4
GLOSSARY
Use the glossary to find the definitions of any words
that are typed in bold black letters.
Indents
Iron
Lustre
Particles
Rust
Silt
Texture
Use the glossary to find the definitions of any words
that are typed in bold black letters.
5
Rock texture:
Why is my rock smooth or rough?
Types of Rocks found in the
Lesser Slave Lake region
Smooth-Grained Surface
Mudstone
The rock feels:
Mudstone is formed in the deeper
parts of lakes by the hardening of
fine mud. It is often grey or brown
unless another mineral is present.
Mudstone often has an earthy, dull
lustre. Because the particles are
closer together, the texture is
smoother than siltstone or
sandstone.
- smooth , like polished wood.
- you can not feel the particles.
- you need a magnifying glass to see the
particles.
Fine-Grained Surface
The rock feels:
- slightly rough, like wallpaper, construction
paper or jeans.
Siltstone
- you can see the particles without a
magnifying glass.
Siltstone is formed by compressed
silt. Most siltstone is formed in a
lake by silt carried there by rivers.
It is often pale to dark grey or
beige unless another mineral is
present. Siltstone often has a dull,
earthy lustre. It may have ripple
marks or tiny indents caused by
rain prints that hit the surface as
the rock formed.
Coarse-Grained Surface
The rock feels:
- very rough, like sandpaper.
- you can see particles that look like grains of
sand.
4
1
Types of Rocks found in the
Lesser Slave Lake region
Minerals that change
the rock’s colour
Sandstone
Hematite
Sandstone is formed by grains of
sand held together by silica or
calcite. Sandstone is formed in
lakes from the sand carried in by
rivers. Sandstone is usually grey,
brown or beige unless another
mineral is present. It often forms
in layers. Sometimes, ripple marks
from the water or wind can be seen
on the surface. The lustre of
sandstone is often dull or earthy.
Because the particles of sandstone
are larger, sandstone has a rougher
texture. The texture of sandstone
is similar to that of sandpaper.
Hematite is an important source of
iron. It is widespread in
sedimentary rocks. When a rock
contains hematite, the colour will be
more red or rust coloured.
Pyrite
Pyrite is another component of iron.
Pyrite is often called “fool’s gold”.
When a rock contains pyrite, there
will be yellow or orange streaks.
Quartz
Quartz is the main component of
sand. It is a six-sided crystal that is
often white and sparkly. When a
rock contains quartz, it will often be
white or lighter-coloured. Also,
there will be tiny pieces of quartz
that glint on the surface of the rock.
2
3
Rock Identification Flow Chart
Texture
smooth-grained
Mudstone
fine-grained
Siltstone
coarse-grained
Sandstone