Rocks and minerals are special compounds of substances that form the earth's crust. All solids in the universe and on planets of a similar type to the Earth are formed from rocks. Usually the phrase "rocks" is broader than the word "minerals", since the former consist of various types of minerals. All rocks can vary in texture and structure.
A texture is a specific arrangement of minerals relative to each other, their distribution in one way or another. For example, when no order is observed in this, then this is called a massive structure. Ate archaeologists say that they unearthed a certain layer, which means that in this geographical area the layered arrangement of rocks (rocks and minerals) does not mix, but overlays one on the other.
There are very beautiful miraculous places in nature - these are underground caves, both large and small. So, their formation takes place in the bubbly rock - such voids leave behind the gases released from the underground. What about shale rock? It looks in the cut just fabulous! This slice can be multi-colored when the minerals acquire a flat shape and are elongated in one direction.
The classification of rocks by origin is based on three parameters:
1. Primary rocks - they are also igneous.
2. Secondary rocks - they are sedimentary.
3. Metamorphic rocks - they can also be called modified.
Igneous rocks and minerals are formed when solidifying magma, which has come to the surface. Due to a certain number of conditions and constantly changing temperature and various environmental factors, rocks with different properties and structure are formed. Igneous rocks are divided into poured and deep. The latter have greater strength and a dense crystalline structure. The most famous representatives of this type of rock are basalt and granite.
Sedimentary rocks are formed under the influence of external factors, such as temperature changes, environmental influences - rain, snow, solar radiation and atmospheric gases. Sedimentary rocks are divided into organogenic, chemical and loose.
Metamorphic rocks and minerals are formed as a result of changes in the structure of the Earth's surface. This happens during earthquakes, shifts of the earth's crust. In this case, different layers and types of rocks are mixed - both sedimentary and igneous.
Translated from Latin, mineral ("mineral") means "ore". The composition of minerals is the chemical elements that are formed during various complex physical and chemical processes. Minerals are natural crystalline substances. But not all minerals have a crystal shape.
Classification of minerals by origin is based on their main division into primary and secondary. The primary ones are those that were formed during the crystallization of magma. Such minerals include mica, quartz and sulfur. Secondary minerals are formed under natural conditions when exposed to various external factors. This may be a salt precipitate of aqueous solutions during weathering and destruction of primary minerals or the remains of the vital activity of various living organisms. Such minerals include common salt, sylvin and gypsum.
By chemical composition, minerals can be native (gold, diamond, platinum, copper), sulfide (copper ore, mercury ore, lead), halide (potassium salt and rock), oxidized (formed as a result of oxygen: hematite, quartz, iron ore), carbonate (malachite, marble), sulfate (gypsum belongs to them), phosphate (apatite), silicate (chrysolite, talc, mica).
