Belt Loop

 

1.  Define Geology:         Geo - having to do with the earth  

                                    ology - the science of

                   

        Geology:  is the study of the Earth 

 

a.    the materials of which it is made

 

b.   the structure of those materials

 

c.    the processes that act on those materials

 

2. Collect a sample of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

     Explain how each was formed.

 

a.    Volcanic—Obsidian is lava that is extruded from the volcano and essentially “freezes”. When rocks form normally, their atoms line up to create small or large crystals. In obsidian, the mass of rock cools to fast for the atoms to get into their order.

 

b.   Sedimentary---Limestone forms in the bottom of the oceans that are away from land. There is nothing there to form the sediments except for the swimming sea creatures. When a creature dies they fall to the bottom of the ocean eventually.  Sometimes they are eaten on the way down with only the bones and shells ending up on the bottom. You can see how limestone often might have fossils in it.

 

c.    Metamorphic---Marble forms when limestone is exposed to heat and/or pressure and often times by superheated liquids. The heat can be caused by a volcano. The pressure could be from it being mashed as more rock is being formed on top of it.

 

3. Explain the difference between a rock and a mineral.

 

  1. Rock—Rock is a naturally occurring mixture of one or more minerals.

 

  1. Mineral---is a naturally occurring substance formed through geological processes that have a characteristic chemical composition, a highly ordered atomic structure and specific physical properties.

 

  1. That means a rock is made up of minerals, but a mineral is only one kind of thing.