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Rocks
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All rocks are combinations of minerals
However, not all rocks are the same
Rocks can be created in different ways and can be
found in different places
There are 3 main categories of rocks.
IGNEOUS ROCKS
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The term igneous comes from the Latin word “ignis”
which means “fire”
Igneous rocks are formed from the hardening and
crystallization of magma/lava
So basically, an igneous rock is just cooled lava
Examples of Igneous Rocks
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Granite- often used
because of its strength,
durability and beauty
Obsidian- used as knife
blades, as well as in
jewelry and sculptures
Kimberlite- diamonds are
often found inside
kimberlite
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
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Sedimentary rocks are made of tiny bits of dirt,
sand, minerals and other rocks
These tiny bits of stuff are called sediments (hence
the name!)
Heat and pressure cause the sediments to cement
(stick) together
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
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Fossils
- Most fossils are
found in sedimentary
rock
- When an organism
(plant or animal) dies,
it may get buried
before it decomposes
(rots)
- Parts of the
organisms can even
be replaced by
minerals and turned
into rocks, such as
fossilized shells
Examples of Sedimentary Rocks
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Sandstone- as the name suggests,
it is made of grains of sand; often
oil is found beneath layers of
sandstone
Shale-also known as “mudstone”;
usually found near slowly moving
water
Limestone- made of dead
organisms and/or their shells;
often found in shallow waters
Coal- made from the carbon in
dead plants; can be burned for
energy
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
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When rocks get buried deep enough
in the ground, they can experience
enough pressure and heat that they
will change into something new
(though if it is too deep it will just
melt back down into magma)
So, basically, a metamorphic rock is
an old rock that has been baked into
a new type of rock
Examples of Metamorphic Rocks
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Schist- used to be shale
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Gneiss- used to be granite
Marble- used to be limestone;
often used in statues
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PRACTICE
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1. Fossils are found in this type
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2. Granite is an example of this type
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1. Sedimentary
2. Igneous
3. Gneiss used to be granite and is this type
3. Metamorphic
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4. Diamonds can be found sometimes in
kimberlite which is an example of this type
4. Igneous
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5. This type is made of tiny bits of stuff
called sediments
5. Sedimentary
6. This type is old rock that is baked into
new rock
7. This type is made from lava
6. Metamorphic
7. Igneous