When you consider it, the world is simply a large chunk of rock flying through outerspace. However, the earth is made up of more than just 1 kind of rock. There are many different types of rocks and these rocks can be put into specific categories.
The main classifications are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. The term igneous comes from the Latin term meaning fire. Igneous rocks are created as magma from deep inside the earth reaches the surface. Once magma actually reaches the surface it cools and also solidifies and turns into a rock. Sedimentary rock is formed over very long time periods from 1000′s to possibly millions of years. Sediment is the particles and minerals that settle on the bottom of lakes, streams and the sea. As layer after layer pile up, the bottom layer is experiencing extreme pressure and heat resulting in the little minerals to join into rocks. Metamorphic rock is a kind of rock that is produced from other types of rocks. Either igneous or sedimentary rock may be turned into metamorphic rock once they experience extreme heat and pressure. This leads to chemical modifications that in fact alter the makeup of the rock, forming brand new minerals.
As you are able to see you will find a lot of different types of rocks and inside every of the categories their are nevertheless more different varieties, sort of like sub types. As an example 1 kind of rock, igneous rock has numerous different types inside its category. A few examples of the different types of igneous rocks are basalt, obsidian rock and also pegmatite. Basalt is a kind of extrusive volcanic rock that is formed any time lava or magma quickly cools once it reaches the surface. Obsidian rock is really a really dark colored volcanic glass which forms when molten rock is quickly cooled. With this sort of rock it cools so quickly that crystals do not form, creating a very smooth glass like texture. Pegmatite, as opposed to basalt and obsidian rocks, is really a light colored rock that is incredibly coarse. It is produced close to the sides of a magma chamber. This type of rock will frequently include rare minerals which can not be found in other parts of the magma chamber.
Many experts commit their whole careers to learning about rocks so we definitely can not touch on all the different types inside this brief write-up. But I hope that after looking over this short write-up you will possess a greater appreciation of a number of the different types of materials that make up the planet.