Identifying Rocks

​Classifying Rocks

6.10C

classify rocks as metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary by the processes of their formation​

​Stemscopes

Fill in the Blank

There are _______ categories for rock classification.

Multiple Choice

Choose the types of rocks from the choices below.

• metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary

• igniotic, metacognition, and sedimentation

• igneous, metamorphic

• sedimentary

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

Multiple Choice

_________ rocks are formed from layers of sand, silt, dead plants and animal skeletons

• Igneous

• Sedimentary

• Metamorphic

​Sedimentary rock is the second category. These rocks cover about three quarters of Earth's land surface. Sedimentary rocks are made of pieces of other rocks and shells. Rain, wind, freezing, and plant roots can all cause erosion of rocks. Erosion causes rocks to be slowly worn away. These small pieces of rock are now called sediment. They are eventually carried by rivers to the oceans and lakes. As the flowing water slows down, it drops the sediments. The sediments settle to the bottom forming layers. Over millions of years, more and more layers of sand and mud are deposited. The weight from the upper layers turns the lower layers of sediments into rock. This makes some sedimentary rocks look layered. Also, there are often fossils in sedimentary rocks.

​Stemscopes

Multiple Choice

Sedimentary rocks are formed by sediment and mud pushing down. This can cause the rocks to have ____________?

• slippery surfaces

• layers

• glass-like appearance

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

Igneous Rocks

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​Deep under Earth's crust, the temperature is hot enough to melt rocks. This molten rock is called magma. Magma in the crust slowly cools and hardens, forming rock. Sometimes volcanic action brings magma through the crust. When this happens, the molten rock is no longer called than magma. On the surface, it is called lava. As the lava flows, it also cools and hardens. Rocks that are formed by magma or lava are igneous rocks. Granite is an example of an igneous rock.

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Stemscopes​

Multiple Choice

Volcanic action results in __________ rock

• metamorphic

• sedimentary

• igneous

• clatial

Multiple Choice

Where do igneous rocks (rocks from volcanoes) form?

• deep in the earth and on earth's surface

• deep in the earth

• on earth's surface

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

​Metamorphic rocks are the third and final category. Metamorphic rocks are the least common rock on Earth. These rocks were once an igneous, sedimentary or even a metamorphic rock. They were changed by extreme pressure and heat while deep inside Earth. Enough heat and pressure will change a rock's look, structure, and composition. This results in a change into a different rock. Granite is an igneous rock. Granite will become metamorphic gneiss when it is placed under heat and pressure. Limestone is a sedimentary rock. Limestone will become metamorphic marble when it is placed under heat and pressure. Think of metamorphic rocks as rocks that have changed.

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(Stemscopes)​

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

Multiple Choice

____________ rocks are formed by extreme pressure and heat while deep inside Earth.

• Sedimentary

• Igneous

• Metamorphic

Multiple Choice

Which rocks are formed by layers of mud and dead plants/animals?

• igneous

• metamorphic

• sedimentary

Multiple Choice

Which rocks are formed by volcanoes?

• igneous

• metamorphic

• sedimentary

Multiple Choice

Which rocks are formed by extreme heat and pressure?

• igneous

• metamorphic

• sedimentary

​Sources

​https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/if-rocks-could-talk2/three-types-of-rock

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Stemscopes

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