Classification the classification of rocks is based on two criteria, texture and composition. The texture has to do with the sizes and shapes of mineral grains and other constituents in a rock, and how these sizes and shapes relate to each other. Such factors are controlled by the process which formed the rock.
Besides Being Classified by Their Composition, How Else Are Rocks Classified?
Rocks are an important part of the Earth’s surface and can be classified in a variety of ways. Besides being classified by their composition, rocks can also be classified by their origin, texture, structures, and other characteristics.
Knowing the different ways rocks can be classified can help geologists better understand the environment and the history of the Earth.
Rocks are classified by their origin, which can be either igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic. Igneous rocks form when molten material, called magma, cools and solidifies.
Examples of igneous rocks include basalt, granite, and pumice. Sedimentary rocks are formed when particles of sediment are cemented together by pressure.
Sandstone, shale, and limestone are examples of sedimentary rocks. Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are subjected to heat and pressure, which cause the rocks to change in texture and composition.
Slate, marble, and gneiss are examples of metamorphic rocks. Rocks can also be classified by their texture, which is the size, shape, and arrangement of the grains that make up the rock.
The texture of a rock can be either fine–grained or coarse–grained. Fine–gr
Leave a comment