Comparing and Contrasting
“Sedimentary and Metamorphic rocks”
Sedimentary Rocks
Where does this type of rock come from ?
This type of rock comes from Loose fragments of Rock, Minerals, and Organic Material that result from Natural Processes, including the Physical Breakdown of rocks are called Sediment.
Describe this type of rocks Chemical Composition as a whole (Minerals), and it’s Individual Ions.
The Chemical sedimentary rock forms when mineral constituents in solution become Supersaturated and Inorganically precipitate.
Describe this rocks physical characteristics and features including:
How are the minerals arranged? ( Layers, Planes, Bands etc.)
Common chemical sedimentary rocks include Oolitic limestone and rocks composed of evaporite minerals, such as Halite (rock salt), Sylvite, Baryte and Gypsum.
How are the minerals transported? (water, ice, wind, or gravity)
Sediment transport occurs in natural systems where the particles are clastic rocks (sand, gravel, boulders, etc.), mud, or clay; the fluid is air, water, or ice; and the force of gravity acts to move the particles along the sloping surface on which they are resting.
Does this rock have different textures? “If so, what ?”
Two main natural textural groupings exist for sedimentary rocks: clastic (or fragmental) and non-clastic (essentially crystalline).
How does this rock form and which of Earth’s 4 systems play a role in the rocks formation ?
Sedimentary rocks are formed when sediment is deposited out of air, ice, wind, gravity, or water flows carrying the particles in suspension. This sediment is often formed when weathering and erosion break down a rock into loose material in a source area.
How does this rock change into the next rock you selected?
Sedimentary rocks become metamorphic in the rock cycle when they are subjected to heat and pressure from burial. The high temperatures are produced when the Earth's tectonic plates move around, producing heat. And when they collide, they build mountains and metamorphose.
Metamorphic Rocks
Where does this type of rock come from ?
Metamorphic rock comes from Sedimentary rock. Due to heat and pressure from burial. The high temperatures are produced when the Earth’s tectonic plates move around,producing heat, and when they collide, they build mountains and metamorphose.
Describe this type of rocks chemical composition as a whole(minerals), and it’s individual ions.
Other minerals, such as olivines, pyroxenes, amphiboles, micas, feldspars, and quartz, may be found in metamorphic rocks.
Describe this rocks physical characteristics and features including:
How are minerals arranged ?(layering, planes, bands et.)
Metamorphic rocks are commonly divided into two groups: foliated and non-foliated. Foliation comes from the Latin word folia (meaning leaves) and refers to the arrangement or growth of mineral crystals in parallel or nearly parallel planes. Non-foliated rocks lack minerals that tend to grow in preferred orientations.
How are minerals transported?(water, ice, wind, gravity)
Metamorphism may also take place as a result of a change in chemical environment; this may occur by transport of elements between chemically contrasting rock types (e.g., formation of calc-silicate minerals at a quartzite-marble contact) or by circulation of fluids that dissolve some substances and precipitate others.
Does this rock have different textures? If so, what?
Textures of metamorphic rocks fall into two broad groups, FOLIATED and NON-FOLIATED. Foliation is produced in a rock by the parallel alignment of platy minerals (e.g., muscovite, biotite, chlorite), needle-like minerals (e.g., hornblende), or tabular minerals (e.g., feldspars).
How does this type of rock form and which of Earth’s 4 systems play a role in the rocks formation?
Metamorphic rocks are formed from other rocks that are changed because of heat or pressure. They are not made from molten rock – rocks that do melt form igneous rocks instead. Earth movements can cause rocks to be deeply buried or squeezed. As a result, the rocks are heated and put under great pressure.
How can this rock change back into the first rock you selected?
When metamorphic rocks are exposed at the earth's surface, they will be broken down into sediments. After being compacted they will become sedimentary rocks.
