GEOL 104 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Oceanic Basin, Lithification, Surface 3

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering
• Course: GEOL 104
• Professor: Daniel Layton- Matthews

Document Summary

The rock cycle allows us to visualize the interrelationships among different parts of the earth. Rocks are divided into three major groups: igneous rocks, cooling and solidification of magma (molten rock, sedimentary rocks sediments are derived from weathering of preexisting rocks. Sediments with lithify into sedimentary rocks, accumulate in layers at earth"s surface: metamorphic rocks formed by (cid:1688)changing(cid:1689) preexisting igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks. Earth"s surface is divided into continents and ocean basins. The elevation difference is a result of differences between density and thickness. Continents are relatively flat plateaus approximately 0. 8 kilometers above sea level composed of granitic rocks. The average depth of ocean basins, composed of basaltic rocks, in 3. 8 kilometers below sea level. Continental margins are the portion of the sea-floor adjacent to major landmasses, comprising: Continental shelf- a gently sloping region of the continental crust extending from the shore.