Types of Rocks
Rocks are natural substances that are made of one or more minerals. Lava is a molten rock that reaches the earth’s surface. Fundamentally, there are three different types of rocks which are Igneous Rock, Sedimentary Rock, and Metamorphic Rock.
Igneous Rock: – These rocks are formed when molten rock cools and solidifies. Igneous rocks can be formed with or without crystallization. There are two different types of igneous rocks that are volcanic rock and plutonic rock.
Sedimentary Rock: – Sedimentary rocks are formed when particles settle out of liquid water, ice, or the wind. These rocks are actually formed from small particles of sand, pebbles etc. These particles are called sediments. It is the only type of rocks that contains fossils.
Metamorphic Rock: – These rocks are formed from pre-existing igneous and sedimentary rocks. When an Igneous or Sedimentary rock is squeezed due to intense heat and pressure, a metamorphic rock is formed.
Quick Facts: –
- The earth’s crust is mostly made up of rock.
- They have been used by humans for millions of years for various purposes.
- The rocks that come from the space are known as meteorites. They are most mostly made of iron.
- The rocks that include minerals that have important elements such as metals like silver and gold are known as ores.
- Crystals form in the liquid rock and become interconnected to each other like a jigsaw puzzle.
- The mineral composition of igneous rocks is divided into four groups that are silicic, intermediate, mafic, and ultramafic.
- A specific pattern that describes how a rock can change from one form to another is known as Rock Cycle.
