| Dr. Passow
Name:
ROCKS
Introduction
The minerals that you studied previously usually combine to form "mixtures"
called rocks. The kinds of rocks found in any location depend on many
factors that form the "geologic history" of the region. These factors can
include the kinds of chemical elements that were present when the molecules in
the minerals formed, the ways in which the minerals were created, events that
changed them later, whether the area was covered by glaciers during the Ice
Ages, and other processes.
Rocks may break off from the solid bedrock that lies beneath loose
soil, or they may have been carried into the region by glaciers, streams, or
human activities (such as landscaping.)
The two main purposes of this investigation are:
- to learn how to identify major rock types through their characteristic
properties, especially through the Earth Science Reference Table
identification charts
- to understand how to find out what types of rocks can be found in New
York State (or elsewhere) using geologic maps, especially the one in
the Earth Science Reference Table.
Procedure
Use the sample sets of IGNEOUS, METAMORPHIC and SEDIMENTARY
rocks to learn how to identify the major types. In the spaces provided for each
type of rock, write the key characteristics that would help you identify each of
these. Also, find and copy an image of each from the "Volcano World" slide show:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Slideshow/Slideindex.html
When you are using actual specimens, be sure that you are learning to
identify samples based on the general characteristics of any sample of that
rock and not just through the specific characteristics of a particular
sample.
Finally, answer the questions at the end of this activity.
Of special value in these activities are the following pages of the New
York State Earth Science Reference Tables: "Rock Cycle" and "Scheme
for Igneous Rock Identification" (p. 6); "Scheme for Sedimentary Rock
Identification" and "Scheme for Metamorphic Rock Identification" (p. 7);
"Generalized Bedrock Geology Map" (p. 3), and "Generalized Landscape" map
(p. 2).
You can find help on the Internet at many of the same sites listed in the
"Minerals" lab.
Suggested Internet sites:
http://mii.org
http://www.minerals.net/mineral/index.htm
http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/nyc/index.html
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vw.html
http://www.usgs.gov
http://sterlinghill.org
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/
IGNEOUS ROCKS
BASALT
GRANITE
GABBRO
OBSIDIAN
PUMICE
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
CONGLOMERATE/BRECCIA
LIMESTONE
SANDSTONE
SHALE
ROCK SALT/HALITE
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
GNEISS
MARBLE
QUARTZITE
SCHIST
SLATE
COAL
Answer the following questions as completely as possible.
1. What are the major features that help you identify an igneous rock?
2. What are the major features that help you identify a sedimentary rock?
3. What are the major features that help you identify a metamorphic rock?
4. Make a drawing of the "Rock Cycle" and explain it.
5. What are the three most common kinds of bedrock found in White Plains?
6. What are some other rock types that might be collected in White Plains.
How did they
get here?
7. Which major rock type covers most of the land surface?
8. What kinds of bedrocks are found in the Adirondack region of New York
State? in the
Catskills region? in the western part of the state?
9. Where are igneous rocks found in New York State? What event produced
these?
10. In which types of rocks are caves usually formed? Why?
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