ES Makeup Rock Box Lab Flashcard

Front

What is a conglomerate?

Back

A sedimentary rock composed of rounded fragments (clasts) that are larger than 2 mm in diameter, cemented together by finer-grained materials.

Front

What is quartzite?

Back

A hard, metamorphic rock formed from the recrystallization of sandstone, characterized by its resistance to acid.

Front

What is schist?

Back

A medium-grade metamorphic rock that is characterized by well-aligned minerals, often containing mica, and has a foliated texture.

Front

What is rhyolite?

Back

An igneous rock that is high in silica, typically light in color, and has a fine-grained texture, formed from the rapid cooling of lava.

Front

What is obsidian?

Back

A naturally occurring volcanic glass formed from the rapid cooling of lava, typically dark in color and has a smooth, glassy texture.

Front

What are the characteristics of sedimentary rocks?

Back

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation of sediments, often layered, and may contain fossils. They are typically softer than igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Front

What is the process of lithification?

Back

The process by which sediments are compacted and cemented to form sedimentary rocks.

Front

What is the difference between igneous and metamorphic rocks?

Back

Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification of molten material (magma or lava), while metamorphic rocks are formed from the alteration of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids.

Front

What is the significance of mineral composition in rocks?

Back

The mineral composition determines the rock's properties, such as color, hardness, and how it reacts to environmental conditions.

Front

What is the rock cycle?

Back

The continuous process of transformation of rocks from one type to another (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) through geological processes such as weathering, erosion, and heat.