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Rocks and Minerals: Formation and Fossils

Learn about the formation of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks, as well as how fossils provide evidence of past environments. Understand the process of fossil fuel formation and the rock cycle.

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Rocks and Minerals: Formation and Fossils

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  1. Rocks & Minerals Rocks, Fossils, Fossil Fuels

  2. Sediments (broken pieces of rock) are deposited in an area (often under water) and pile up over time. These small pieces of rock form sedimentary layers and more pressure is put on the lower (oldest) layers as the amount of sediment on top of them increases. This pile up of sediments compacts the lower layers of sediment forcing the water out from between the rocks. Cementation happens as dissolved minerals become deposited in the spaces between the sediments. These minerals act as glue or cement to bind the sediments together. Sedimentary Rock Formation www.energyinst.org.uk/education/glossary/

  3. Fossils form when an organism dies and is covered quickly by sediment. An example would be a sand storm moving in quickly and covering the organism. Organisms that live in the sedimentary layer or on the sea floor become fossils more often. Once covered with sediment the organism is compacted along with the sediment and as sedimentary rock forms, it may leave an impression fossil on the rock. The remains of the organism decay, but minerals may fill this space and create a 3-D fossil Fossil Formation

  4. Fossils Provide Information • Fossils provide evidence that can help us understand the conditions of that specific location/ region at a given past time. • For instance, we could find out that an area that is currently a desert was once covered by water. • Fish fossils on a mountain tell us the mountain was once under water. • Fossils will be found in sedimentary rocks only!!! • Remember, the older fossils are in the lower rock layers and younger fossils are in the higher rock layers.

  5. All minerals must: Occur naturally in nature Inorganic solid Crystal structure Definite chemical composition Rocks are a mixture of minerals and other organic matter So how is a mineral different from a rock? http://nature.ca/museum/press/2006/pr06-02-07_minstucson_e.cfm

  6. Fossil Fuel Formation • Fossil Fuels begin forming as sedimentary rock forms, but it takes HEAT, PRESSURE, and TIME (lots of time)! • Because it takes so long to form, fossil fuels are considered nonrenewable resources.

  7. If dead plant matter, or Peat, is trapped in the sediment layers it will be compacted along with the sediment. As the layers are pushed down heat from the earth along with pressure from the sediments will harden it into COAL. Click to see video of how Coal was formed Fossil Fuel Formation

  8. If dead animal matter, mainly microscopic sea organisms, is trapped in the sediment layers it is compacted, and heated over time to form OIL. Natural Gas may also form in areas where oil is located. Animation of Oil and Natural Gas Formation Fossil Fuel Formation

  9. Metamorphic rocks are formed from other rocks that have been pushed deep into the earth’s crust Pressure from the earth above and heat from the mantle below cause them to change shape, color, grain and crystal structure Origin of rocks http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es0607/es0607page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

  10. Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling of magma or lava Lava is magma that reaches the earth’s surface Origin of rocks www.outreach.canterbury.ac.nz/.../igneous.jpg

  11. Rock cycleClick title to go to a great rock cycle website! http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0602/es0602page02.cfm

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