Rock types, formation and characteristics

Today we are going to talk about a geology topic. Is about the types of rocks that exist. Since our planet earth was formed, millions of rocks and minerals have been formed. Depending on their origin and their type of training, there are several types. All the rocks in the world can be classified into three large groups: igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks.

If you need to know all the types of rocks that exist, their formation conditions and characteristics, this is your post 

Sedimentary rocks

Let's start by describing the sedimentary rocks. Its formation is due to the transport and deposition of materials due to the action of wind, water and ice. They may also have been chemically deposited from some aqueous fluid. Over time, these materials join together to form a rock. Therefore, sedimentary rocks are composed of many materials.

In turn, sedimentary rocks are divided into detrital and non-detrital

Detrital sedimentary rocks

These are those that are formed from the sedimentation of the fragments of other rocks after being previously transported. Depending on the size of the rock fragments, they are identified in one way or another. If said fragments are larger than 2 mm and rounded are called conglomerates. On the other hand, if they are angular they are called gaps.

If the fragments that make up the rock are looser, they are called gravel. You have probably heard of gravel. When are smaller than 2mm and larger than 0,6mm, that is to say, with the naked eye still or with light microscope they are called sandstones. When the fragments that form the rock are so small that we need an electron microscope, they are called silts and clays.

Today, gravel is used as aggregates in construction and concrete manufacturing. Conglomerates and sandstones are used for their durability in construction. Clays are used in our daily lives and for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. They are also used in the construction of bricks and ceramics. Their waterproofing properties make them perfect for absorbing pollutants and filtering in industry. They are used as raw materials for the construction of adobe and mud walls and for the manufacture of traditional pottery, earthenware, and porcelain.

Non-detrital sedimentary rocks

These types of rocks are formed by the precipitation of certain chemical compounds in aqueous solutions. Some substances of organic origin can accumulate to form these rocks. One of the most common and well-known rocks of this type is limestone. It is formed through the precipitation of calcium carbonate or the accumulation of skeletal fragments of corals, ostracods and gastropods.

It is very common to see fragments of fossils in this type of rocks. An example of limestone rock is calcareous. It is a very porous rock that has abundant plant remains and that originates in rivers when calcium carbonate precipitates on vegetation.

Another very common example is dolomite. They differ from the previous examples in that they have a chemical composition high in magnesium. When the shells of organisms made of silica accumulate, flint rocks are formed.

There is also a type of rock within the non-detrital evaporitic calls. These are formed through the evaporation of water in marine environments and in swamps or lagoons. The most important rock in this group is gypsum. They are formed through the precipitation of calcium sulfate.

Limestone is used in the manufacture of cement and lime in construction. They are materials used for the facades and floor covering of buildings. Coal and oil are a type of non-detrital sedimentary rock called organogenic. Their name comes from the accumulation of organic material and its remains. While coal comes from plant remains, petroleum comes from marine plankton. They are of great economic interest due to their high calorific value for generating energy through combustion.

Igneous rocks

This is the second type of rock. They are generated by the cooling of a liquid mass of silicate composition coming from inside the Earth. The molten mass is at extremely high temperatures and solidifies when it reaches the earth's surface. Depending on where they cool, they will give rise to two types of rocks.

Plutonic rocks

These originate when the liquid mass cools under the earth's surface. That is, being subjected to low pressure, the minerals inside grow closely together. This causes dense, non-porous rocks to form. The cooling of the liquid mass is very slow, so the crystals can be very large.

One of the most famous rocks of this type is granite. They are composed of a mixture of quartz, feldspar, and mica minerals. If you'd like to learn more about this category, we recommend visiting our article on plutonic rocks.

Volcanic rocks

This type is formed when the liquid mass rises to the outside of the Earth's surface and cools there. These are the rocks that form when lava from volcanoes is cooled to lower temperatures and pressures. The crystals in these rocks are smaller and have amorphous uncrystallized glass-like matter.

One of the most frequent and easy to recognize they are basalts and pumice. For more information about this type of rock, you can consult the post about igneous rocks.

Metamorphic rocks

These rocks are generated from pre-existing rocks and undergo temperature and pressure increases by geological processes. The readjustments suffered by these types of rocks make them change their composition and minerals. This metamorphic process happens in the solid state. The rock does not have to be molten.

Most metamorphic rocks are characterized by a general flattening of their minerals, causing the rock to appear flattened and layered. This effect is called foliation. If you'd like to delve deeper into this topic, be sure to visit the article on Metamorphic rocks.

The most common known rocks are slate, marble, quartzite, gneiss, and schists.

You already know better the types of rocks that exist and their formation processes. Now it is your turn to go to the field and recognize what types of rocks you are seeing and deduce their formation and composition process.