SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY – LABORATORY SENIOR

HIGH SCHOOL
First Semester; A.Y. 2019 – 2020
ROCKS

***Rocks are any solid mass of mineral or mineral-like matter occurring naturally as part
of our planet.

THE ROCK CYCLE

- constant recycling of minerals
- a model that describes all the processes by which rocks are formed, modified,
transported, decomposed,
melted, and reformed
- illustrates how geologic processes occurring both underneath and on the Earth’s
surface can change a rock
from one type to another

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TYPES OF ROCKS:
1. IGNEOUS ROCKS
- these are rocks that are derived from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava
- from solidified molten rock materials, usually hard and crystalline
- rate of cooling as one of the most important factors that control crystal size
- solidification can occur along the surface or beneath the surface of the earth
FORMATION OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
A. PLUTONIC OR INTRUSIVE ROCKS
- from solidified magma underneath the earth
- PHANERITIC TEXTURES - large interlocking crystals
- Examples: granite, diorite, gabbro
B. VOLCANIC OR EXTRUSIVE ROCKS
- from solidified lava at or near the surface of the earth
 PORPHYRITIC TEXTURE: formed through two stages of crystallization:
phenocrysts – large crystals, extruded to form the groundmass – fine grained
matrix
 APHANITIC TEXTURE: fine-grained texture; minerals not visible to the naked
eye
 VESICULAR TEXTURE: voids created by rapid cooling which causes air
bubbles to be trapped inside.
- Examples: rhyolite, andesite, basalt
- PYROCLASTIC ROCKS: fragmental rocks usually associated with violent or explosive
type of eruption.
- Examples are tuff and pyroclastic flow deposits (ignimbrite)
Igneous rocks are also classified according to silica content and relative amounts of
K, Na, Fe, Mg and Ca and practically based on presence of light and dark colored
minerals.
- felsic: granitic: >65% silica, generally light-colored
- intermediate: andesitic: 55-65% silica, generally medium colored (medium gray)
- mafic: basaltic: 45-55% silica, usually dark colored
- ultramafic: <45% silica, generally very dark colored
Igneous Rock Identification
Composition
Texture Felsic Intermediate Mafic Ultramafic
Pegmatitic Granite Diorite Gabbro ~
pegmatite pegmatite
Phaneritic Granite Diorite Gabbro Dunite
Aphanitic Rhyolite Andesite Basalt ~
Porphyritic Rhyolite Andesite Basalt ~
Glassy Obsidian Basaltic glass ~
Vesicular Pumice Scoria ~
Pyroclastic Volcanic tuff ~

2. SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
- these are rocks that are formed at or near the surface of the Earth
- sedimentary processes include: lithification, weathering of rocks, erosion, sediment
transport and deposition (compaction and cementation)

COMMON SEDIMENTARY FEATURES

A. fossil assemblages: remains and traces of plants and animals that are preserved in
rocks
B. stratification or layering (strata which is >1cm is called BEDDING and < 1cm is called
LAMINATION):
- layering is the result of a change in grain size and composition; each layer represents a
distinct period of deposition
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CLASTIC SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
- composed of grains, matrix and cement
- clastic rocks with volcanic origin (e.g. pyroclastics) could be classified as sedimentary rock
(e.g. volcanoclastic rocks).
- variable grain sizes (including matrix and cement) is indicative of sedimentary
differentiation
- a function of processes happening in different sedimentary environments.

NON-CLASTIC SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

- evaporation and precipitation from solution or lithification of organic matter
- classified as evaporites (halite, gypsum and dolostone), precipitates (limestone) and
bioclastics (coal, coquina)
 Evaporites: rocks formed from the evaporation of water leaving the dissolved
minerals to crystallize
 Precipitates: rocks formed when minerals from a mineral supersaturated
waters start to crystallize at the bottom of the solution
 Bioclastic: rock formed from compacted organic matter
Sedimentary Rock Identification
Texture Grain Size Composition Rock Name
>2 mm Rounded quartz, Conglomerate
feldspar, and rock
fragments
>2 mm Angular quartz, feldspar, Breccia
Clastic and rock fragments
1/16-2 mm Quartz, feldspar Sandstone
>1/16 mm Feldspar, quartz Arkose
<1/16 mm Quartz, clay minerals Siltstone
(mudstone, shale)
<1/256 mm Quartz, clay minerals Claystone
Silica (quartz) Chert
Dolomite Dolostone
Crystalline Calcite Limestone
Halite Rock salt
Gypsum Rock gypsum
Silica (quartz) Chert
Bioclastic Loosely compacted Peat
organic material and
plant fragments
Densely compacted Bituminous coal
organic material and
plant fragments
Calcite Limestone
Calcite and microskeletal Chalk
fragments
Calcite; almost entirely Coquina
Bioclastic shell and skeletal
fragments
Calcite with some shell Fossiliferous
and skeletal fragments limestone
Dolomite with some shell Fossiliferous
and skeletal fragments dolostone

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3. METAMORPHIC ROCKS
- formed below the surface of the earth through the process of metamorphism with
the recrystallization of
minerals in rocks due to changes in pressure and temperature conditions
- form when pre-existing or parent rock (whether igneous, sedimentary, or even
metamorphic) are
treated by heat, pressure, and the chemical activity of fluids.
Metamorphism means “to change form.”
CONTACT METAMORPHISM
-occurs when magma moves into rocks
- creates non-foliated metamorphic rocks
- example: hornfels

REGIONAL METAMORPHISM
-results in large-scale deformation and high-grade metamorphism
- creates foliated metamorphic rocks
- examples: schist, gneiss

Metamorphic Rock Identification

Texture Foliation Composition type Parent rock Rock name
Slaty Mica Regional Mudstone Slate
Phyllitic Quartz, Regional Mudstone Phyllite
mica,
Foliated chlorite
Schistose Mica, quartz Regional Slate Schist
Schistose Amphibole, Regional Basalt or Amphibolite
plagioclase Gabbro
Gneissic Feldspar, Regional Schist Gneiss
mica, quartz
~ Carbon Contact Bituminous Angthracite coal
or coal
regional
Nonfoliated ~ Quartz, rock Contact Conglomerate Metaconglomerate
fragments or
regional
~ Calcite Contact Limestone Marble
or
regional
~ Quartz Contact Sandstone Quartzite
or
regional

REFERENCES:
Curriculum and Teaching Guide for Senior High School: Earth Science. Published by
the Commission on Higher Education, 2016

Tarbuck, E. & Lutgens, F. (2012). Earth Science, Thirteenth Edition. Pearson

Education, Inc.: Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07548.

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