Rock Cycle

The rock cycle is a model of the natural changes that occur in rocks and rock materials on the earth. The diagram to the right distinguishes between those processes that take primarily at Earth's (external processes) and those that take place within the Earth (internal processes).  Internal processes, such as compression and heating require the conditions of extreme temperature and pressure that occur deep within the Earth.

The rock cycle illustrates several important principals of geology. First, nearly all rocks are made from the remains of other rocks (coal and other organic sedimentary rocks are important exceptions).  Second, rocks are classified on the basis of their origin.  Finally, there are a variety of ways that rocks can change in response to changing conditions at the surface or within Earth.

Homework  due Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Review Book:  read pages 55-56; do questions 54-60 on pages 56-57, and questions 1-10 on pages 59-60.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Igneous Rock Classification

Image
The most common igneous rocks are classified using just two characteristics: Crystal size and color. For example, basalt is relatively dark in color (gray to black) and usually contains crystals to small to see without the aid of an optical lens.  On the other hand, granites are lighter in color (pink to gray) and have crystals that can be seen by the naked eye.  Igneous rocks are the only kind of rock that forms from hot magma, and all rock that crystallize from melted rock are igneous.  
Read more

Weather Map Project

Image
In the past two weeks, we have been studying the properties of the atmosphere and the different weather variables. This week we will begin constructing weather maps.  We will also do a weather map project. The details are as follows: Project Due Date :  Friday, February 18, 2011 Task: Your assignment is to construct a weather map, for a seven day period, across the United States. Criteria : You may select the weather for a seven day period of your choosing. The project must be illustrated on poster paper and may include a typed report. The project must include the following items: o Title of Assignment o Two weather maps that track the changes in weather for the seven day period (from either newspaper or internet). o Map must include a general description of the weather patterns, for example, a description of air masses likely to create fronts (cP, continental polar, mT, marine tropical, etc.). o Indicate on map where unstable weather is occurring across the nation (precipitat
Read more