ERTH 1006 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Batholith, Mafic, Feldspar
8 Oct 2015
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Document Summary
Rock: naturally formed, consolidated material usually composed of grains of one or more minerals. Igneous rock is made by magma and can either form on the surface (extrusive) or beneath the surface (intrusive) and can later be brought to the surface. Igneous rock can undergo weathering and erosion and become sediments which are deposited on the earth"s surface (usually ocean floors) and can become sedimentary rock if lithified (cemented or consolidated) Sedimentary rock can then become metamorphic rock by being buried thus it can reach a point in the earth"s crust where heat and pressure are high enough to recrystallize the rock. Metamorphic rock can then melt back into magma if the temp is high enough completing the cycle. Volcanic rock is fine grained or glassed (due to fast cooling) while intrusive rock is coarse grained (due to slow cooling) Minerals in the rock can only form at high temps.
