Types of Rock

Earths crust has three types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Melted rock from deep within Earth
pushes up to fill cracks made when the tectonic plates move. This type of rock, called igneous from the Latin word for
fire, is molten rock that has cooled. Granite is an igneous rock. So is the melted rock that spews out of a volcano.
About 80 percent of the rock making up Earths surface was formed by small particles of mineral or organic matter. Most
of the deposits occurred on the ocean floor. As time passed, the loose material was pressed into solid rock, called
sedimentary rock. Some types of sedimentary rocks were built up from the shells and skeletons of small sea animals.
Some types were formed from the deposits of minerals that were dissolved in water. Other types of sedimentary rocks,
such as sandstone, were formed through the erosion of other rocks. Sedimentary rocks usually lie in horizontal layers, but
they may fold or undergo other changes if intense pressures are placed on them.
When intense heat and pressure are applied to igneous or sedimentary rock, the structure of the rock changes. These
changed rocks are called metamorphic rock. There are many types of metamorphic rock. Marble is the changed form of
limestone. Slate is the changed form of shale.
Some of the rocks in Earths crust are considered quite valuable. Certain types of rocks, called ores, contain a metal or
other mineral that is combined with other compounds. Ores can be processed to release their valuable metals, such as
iron, copper, aluminum, and silver.

Answer the following.

1. When you apply intense heat and pressure to igneous or sedimentary rock you get___________________.
2. If loose material is pressed into solid rock, what is it called? ______________________________________.
3. Rocks in the Earths crust that contain valuable metals or minerals are also known as _________________.
4. When molten rock cools it is called __________________.
5. What are the three types of rock? __________________________________________________________.
6. Rocks found on the side of an active volcano are most likely to be which type of rock?
A. Metamorphic

B. Ore

C. Sedimentary

D. Igneous

7. If you collect a rock from the seafloor, it would probably be what type of rock?
A. Metamorphic

B. Ore

C. Sedimentary

D. Igneous

8. Marble and slate are both examples of which type of rock?

A. Metamorphic

B. Ore

C. Sedimentary

D. Igneous

9. In which of the following would you be most likely to find metals like silver, gold, iron, or copper?
A. Metamorphic

B. Ore

C. Sedimentary

D. Igneous

The Rock Cycle

If metamorphic rock is exposed to more heat and more pressure, the rock may melt. When it cools, it can once
again be igneous rock. The igneous rock may weather into sediments that harden into sedimentary rock. The
sedimentary rock may change into metamorphic rock. Scientists refer to the changes of rock from one form
into another as the rock cycle. Steps of the rock cycle occur constantly, but usually very slowly.

Draw the Stages of the Rock Cycle