Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids that have a defined chemical composition. Minerals have properties that can be observed and measured. Minerals form in specific environments.
Most rocks are composed of one or more minerals, but there are a few types of sedimentary rocks that contain organic material, such as coal. The composition of the rock, types of mineral present, and/or mineral shape and size can be used to identify the rock and to interpret its history of formation, breakdown (weathering) and transport (erosion).
Magma or lava cools and crystallizes to form igneous rocks. Heat and pressure applied to existing rock forms metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rock forms as existing rock weathers chemically and/or physically and the weathered material is compressed and then lithifies. Each rock type can provide information about the environment in which it was formed.
Nearly all manufactured material requires some kind of geologic resource. Most geologic resources are considered nonrenewable. Rocks, minerals and soil are examples of geologic resources that are nonrenewable.
There are three main types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Each type of boundary results in specific motion and causes events (such as earthquakes or volcanic activity) or features (such as mountains or trenches) that are indicative of the type of boundary.
Mass movement and erosion
Crystallinity (crystal structure)
Properties of minerals (hardness, luster, cleavage, streak, crystal shape, fluorescence, flammability, density/specific gravity, malleability)
Mafic and felsic rocks and minerals
Intrusive (igneous structures: dikes, sills, batholiths, pegmatites)
Magnetic reversals and Earth’s magnetic field
Thermal energy within the Earth
Bowen’s Reaction Series (continuous and discontinuous branches)
Pressure, stress, temperature and compressional forces
Foliated (regional), non-foliated (contact)
Parent rock and degrees of metamorphism
Metamorphic zones (where metamorphic rocks are found)
Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids that have a defined chemical composition. Minerals have properties that can be observed and measured. Minerals form in specific environments.
Most rocks are composed of one or more minerals, but there are a few types of sedimentary rocks that contain organic material, such as coal. The composition of the rock, types of mineral present, and/or mineral shape and size can be used to identify the rock and to interpret its history of formation, breakdown (weathering) and transport (erosion).
Magma or lava cools and crystallizes to form igneous rocks. Heat and pressure applied to existing rock forms metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rock forms as existing rock weathers chemically and/or physically and the weathered material is compressed and then lithifies. Each rock type can provide information about the environment in which it was formed.
Nearly all manufactured material requires some kind of geologic resource. Most geologic resources are considered nonrenewable. Rocks, minerals and soil are examples of geologic resources that are nonrenewable.
There are three main types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Each type of boundary results in specific motion and causes events (such as earthquakes or volcanic activity) or features (such as mountains or trenches) that are indicative of the type of boundary.
Mass movement and erosion
Crystallinity (crystal structure)
Properties of minerals (hardness, luster, cleavage, streak, crystal shape, fluorescence, flammability, density/specific gravity, malleability)
Mafic and felsic rocks and minerals
Intrusive (igneous structures: dikes, sills, batholiths, pegmatites)
Magnetic reversals and Earth’s magnetic field
Thermal energy within the Earth
Bowen’s Reaction Series (continuous and discontinuous branches)
Pressure, stress, temperature and compressional forces
Foliated (regional), non-foliated (contact)
Parent rock and degrees of metamorphism
Metamorphic zones (where metamorphic rocks are found)
Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids that have a defined chemical composition. Minerals have properties that can be observed and measured. Minerals form in specific environments.
Most rocks are composed of one or more minerals, but there are a few types of sedimentary rocks that contain organic material, such as coal. The composition of the rock, types of mineral present, and/or mineral shape and size can be used to identify the rock and to interpret its history of formation, breakdown (weathering) and transport (erosion).
Magma or lava cools and crystallizes to form igneous rocks. Heat and pressure applied to existing rock forms metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rock forms as existing rock weathers chemically and/or physically and the weathered material is compressed and then lithifies. Each rock type can provide information about the environment in which it was formed.
Nearly all manufactured material requires some kind of geologic resource. Most geologic resources are considered nonrenewable. Rocks, minerals and soil are examples of geologic resources that are nonrenewable.
There are three main types of plate boundaries: divergent, convergent and transform. Each type of boundary results in specific motion and causes events (such as earthquakes or volcanic activity) or features (such as mountains or trenches) that are indicative of the type of boundary.
Mass movement and erosion
Crystallinity (crystal structure)
Properties of minerals (hardness, luster, cleavage, streak, crystal shape, fluorescence, flammability, density/specific gravity, malleability)
Mafic and felsic rocks and minerals
Intrusive (igneous structures: dikes, sills, batholiths, pegmatites)
Magnetic reversals and Earth’s magnetic field
Thermal energy within the Earth
Bowen’s Reaction Series (continuous and discontinuous branches)
Pressure, stress, temperature and compressional forces
Foliated (regional), non-foliated (contact)
Parent rock and degrees of metamorphism
Metamorphic zones (where metamorphic rocks are found)
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