rock-forming mineral
One of the common minerals that make up most of the rocks of Earth's crust
granite
A usually light colored igneous rock that is found in continental crust
basalt
A dark, dense, igneous rock with a fine texture, found in oceanic crust
grains
The particles of minerals or other rocks that give a rock its texture
texture
the look and feel of a rock's surface, The look and feel of a rock's surface, determined by the size, shape, and pattern of a rock's grains.
igneous rock
a type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock at or below the surface
sedimentary rock
A type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together
metamorphic rock
A type of rock that forms from an existing rock that is changed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions
extrusive rock
Igneous rock that forms from lava on Earth's surface.
intrusive rock
Igneous rock that forms when magma hardens beneath Earth's surface.
sediment
small, solid pieces of material that come from rocks or living things
erosion
the destructive process in which water or wind loosen and carry away fragments of rock
deposition
The process by which sediment settles out of the water or wind that is carrying it.
compaction
The process by which sediments are pressed together under their own weight.
cementation
The process by which dissolved minerals crystalize and glue particles of sediment together into one mass.
clastic rock
sedimentary rock that forms when rock fragments are squeezed together under high pressure
organic rock
Sedimentary rock that forms from remains of organisms deposited in thick layers.
chemical rock
Sedimentary rock that forms when minerals crystallize from a solution.
coral reef
A structure of calcite skeletons built up by coral animals in warm, shallow ocean water.
foliated
term used to describe metamorphic rocks that have grains arranged in parallel layers or bands
rock cycle
a series of processes on the surface and inside Earth that slowly changes rocks from one kind to another