Rocks

• Rocks are an aggregate of minerals that form a

definite unit of the lithosphere
• Rocks are made up of minerals in different
combinations
 Minerals
• Minerals are naturally occurring solid
inorganic substances having definite chemical
composition and physical properties.
• There are about 2000 minerals in the earth’s
crust.
 Difference between Rocks and
Minerals
ROCKS MINERALS
Are organic Are inorganic
Don’t have definite Have definite physical
physical properties and properties and chemical
chemical composition composition
Are not crystalline in Are crystalline in
appearance appearance
Are heterogeneous in Are homogeneous in
nature nature
Composition of minerals in earth’s
crust
Minerals Oxygen-46%

Silicon-28%

Aluminium-8%

Iron-6%

Magnesium-4%

Calcium-2.4%

Potassium-2.3%

Sodium-2.1%

Others-1.2%
 Classification of rocks
Plutonic
Intrusive
Igneous rocks Hypabyssal
Extrusive

Mechanically
Rocks formed

Sedimentary Organically
rocks formed

Metamorphic Chemically
rocks formed
 Igneous rocks (primary rocks)
• ‘Igneous’ means ‘fire’.
• They are formed by solidification of molten
rock called magma.
• Magma erupts through a volcano and cools on
the earth’s surface.
• It may also get solidified below the earth’s
surface.
OBSIDIAN

FELDSPAR
QUARTZ
GRANITE BASALT

MICA
 Classification of igneous rocks
According to the mode of origin
• Intrusive igneous rocks- are formed when
magma cools inside the earth’s surface. Ex-
granite, diorite and gabbro.
• Extrusive igneous rocks- are formed when the
magma cools outside on the earth’s surface.
Ex- basalt, feldspar, pumice, scomia and
obsidian.
 According to chemical composition
• Acidic igneous rocks- have a high percentage
of silica (>65%). They are lightly coloured and
are less dense. Ex- granite, quartz, feldspar
and mica.
• Basic igneous rocks- have a low percentage of
silica (<65%). Have a higher percentage of
iron, aluminium or magnesium. They are of
darker colour and are denser.
• Ultra basic rocks- consist of ferre, magnesium.
 Sills
When magma is being forced upwards, some of
it may push it’s way in between two layers of
rock and get solidified there. This rock is called
sill and is almost horizontal.
Sills
 Dyke
Magma forces it’s way before reaching the main
fissure, trying to go up, but solidifies before
reaching the surface. These rocks lie in a slanting
direction and are called dykes.
Dyke
 Sedimentary rocks ( secondary rocks)
• Sedimentary rocks are types of rock that are
formed by the deposition and subsequent
cementation of that material at the Earth's
surface and within bodies of water.
SANDSTONE CONGLOMERATE

MUDSTONE
 SHALE LIMESTONE

DOLOMITE CHERT
 Some definitions
• Lithification- is the cementation, compaction
and hardening of sediments into sedimentary
rocks.
• Denudation- is the disintegration and
decomposition of rocks, as well as the wearing
away of the surface of the land.
 Different types of sedimentary rocks
• Mechanically formed sedimentary rocks.
• Chemically formed sedimentary rocks.
• Organically formed sedimentary rocks.
 Mechanically formed sedimentary
rocks
• Mechanical sediments are derived by the
process of denudation of land. These are
called detrital sediments or clastic sediments.
• Ex- conglomerate, breccia, sandstone, shale,
mudstone, siltstone, etc.
Chemically formed sedimentary rocks
• Chemical sediments are commonly formed by
the process of evaporation of water containing
salts in solution. In desert regions, shallow
lakes get evaporated leaving behind a layer of
salts on the surface. These get consolidated
into sedimentary rocks.
• Ex- rock salt, gypsum, potash, nitrates,
limestone, magnesium, calcite, dolomite, etc.
Organically formed sedimentary rocks
• Organic sediments are those derived by the
accumulation of remains of organisms, such as
shells of marine organisms.
• Ex- corals, chalk, coal, etc.
Metamorphic rocks (secondary rocks -2)
• Metamorphic rocks are those which are
formed by the process of metamorphism or
alteration of pre-existing rocks.
• Metamorphism occurs when the rocks are
subjected to high pressure, high temperature
or both.
• The original minerals get altered and new
minerals are formed.
MARBLE SLATE

GRAPHITE
QUARTZITE
GNEISS

NOVACULITE
 Different types of metamorphism
• Thermal- it is caused by high temperature.
• Dynamic- it is the alteration caused by high
pressure during earth movements.
• Regional- it is caused by large-scale earth
movements, such as mountain building, affect
rocks over a large area burying igneous and
sedimentary rocks deep in the crust of the
earth.
 Rock cycle of transformation
• The rock cycle is the relationship between
igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks,
and also how when and where the changes
take place, to what extent, and how these
changes are inter-related.
 Igneous Rocks Weather erosion
Sediments

Consolidation
Breaking
Magma

Sedimentary
Rocks
Metamorphic
Rocks
 Economic significance of rocks
• They break to form soil.
• They provide minerals.
• They provide coal, oil and natural gas.
• They are used for construction of roads, dams,
etc.
• Limestone and gypsum are used to make
cement.
• They provide raw material for mineral based
factories.
- Vihang Vaidya