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Rocks and the Rock Cycle
Geology: The study of rocks, minerals and fossils
Layers of the Earth
crust
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Crust
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The surface of the
Earth is a very thin
layer made of
rocks, minerals and
clay
We live on the
crust of the earth
Layers of the Earth
crust
mantle

Mantle- Upper and
Lower
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The mantle is the
biggest part of the
earth; the magma is
rich in iron and
magnesium
Convection occurs
here and is thought to
drive plate tectonics
Layers of the Earth
crust

mantle
Outer Core

Outer
core

The outer core
consists of molten
iron and magma
The outer core
rotates giving the
Earth a magnetic
field
Layers of the Earth
crust

mantle
Outer
core
Inner Core


Inner
Core

The inner core is made
of solid iron
The closest model of
the inner core we have
is an iron nickel
meteorite
The inner core is
under extreme
pressure
How do we know about the layers of
the Earth?

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To date, humans have
never drilled through the
crust of the Earth.
Scientists study where
waves from earthquakes
end up around the globe.
The waves move
differently through
different densities of
material.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic (non-living) solid
compounds that have a specific chemical
formula and crystalline structure.
•
•Minerals are made up of one or more
elements
•The combinations of elements and
crystal structure give each mineral its
characteristics.
Minerals
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Hardness
Color
Density
Crystalline Structure
Luster
Streak
Magnetism
Calcite
Amethyst
Quartz
Rocks

Biotite mica
Rocks are made up
of two or more
minerals
Quartz
Potassium Feldspar
Classification of Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks- Rocks formed from
1) the consolidation of sediments, 2)
precipitate from a solution or 3)
consolidation of the remains of plants or
animals. These rocks may contain fossils.
Examples include conglomerate, coquina
limestone, red sandstone, and shale
 Igneous Rock- Rocks formed from the
solidification of magma. This may occur
either on the Earth’s surface (lava from a
volcano) or within the Earth’s crust (magma
from a volcano chamber). Examples include
basalt, granite, obsidian, and pumice
Classification of Rocks


Metamorphic Rock- Rocks
produced by the transformation of
preexisting rock, either sedimentary
or igneous, into a texturally or miner
logically distinct new rock as a result
of high temperature, pressure or
both without melting the rock.
Examples include schist, gneiss,
and anthracite coal
Fossils- Traces of plants or animals
preserved in rock.
The Rock Cycle
The Rock Cycle
The Rock Cycle is a model used to describe
the changes to rocks that take place on the
earth.
•These changes show how each type of rock
is formed. Some of the processes occur at
or near the Earth's surface such as
weathering, erosion and deposition.
•Other processes occur deep below the
surface such as melting and increased heat
and pressure.