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Rocks can be classified into three main types based on their formation processes: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are characterized by their crystalline textures and can be identified based on their mineral composition and grain size. Examples include granite, which is coarse-grained and forms from slowly cooled magma, and basalt, which is fine-grained and forms from rapidly cooled lava. Sedimentary rocks, on the other hand, often display layered structures and may contain fossils, reflecting their deposition in various environments. Limestone, formed from the accumulation of marine organisms, and sandstone, composed of compacted grains of sand, are common examples. Finally, metamorphic rocks exhibit foliation or banding due to changes in pressure and temperature during their formation. Schist and gneiss are typical examples that emphasize the dynamic conditions under which they form. The classification of rocks offers insight into their geological history and the processes that shaped them, highlighting the interconnectedness of the rock and water cycles.

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Rocks are categorized into three main types based on how they form: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

  • Igneous rocks have a crystalline texture and are identified by their mineral content and grain size. Examples include granite, which is coarse-grained and forms from slowly cooled magma, and basalt, which is fine-grained and forms from rapidly cooled lava.

  • Sedimentary rocks usually have layered structures and may contain fossils. They form from the accumulation of materials in different environments. Common examples are limestone, made from marine organisms, and sandstone, which consists of compacted sand grains.

  • Metamorphic rocks show foliation or banding due to changes in pressure and temperature. Schist and gneiss are typical examples that illustrate the intense conditions under which they form.

Understanding these rock types helps us learn about Earth’s geological history and the processes that shaped the planet, linking the rock and water cycles.