Rocks and Minerals Virtual Tour

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Introduction

Hello! Welcome to my virtual tour of rocks and minerals!

What are rocks and minerals, you say?

Well, I will be more then happy to explain!

Rocks are one of Earth’s oldest and most common natural materials, that is formed form Earth itself. But there is only three main types of rocks. These three main types are classified from these groups. These three groups/types are Igneous rocks (cooled magma), Sedimentary rocks (decayed and weathered rock), and Metamorphic Rocks ( deformed and alternated sedimentary and igneous rocks.).

Minerals are solid and inorganic materials. Actually rocks are made up of at least 2 or more minerals! Minerals are not only essential  to industry products, but they are also essential to sustain life in modern society today. 

To help navigate better and learn more information on these rock types, click on the links! ( below the “rocks” banner).

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Minerals

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The Rock Cycle

  Don’t you think that this world is so fascinating, from its systems to its cycles? For example, take one of the geological cycles, like the rock cycle.  Just like the water cycle, the rock cycle also has a process. The process of where it came from , how it transforms , and back to its original form and/or destination . After you read this, you most likely will never look at another rock the same way again!

  The rock cycle is  a process of how forms of  rocks ,change into  3 types of rocks. From Igneous rocks (cooled magma), to sedimentary rocks ( particles of decayed and worn down rocks), and then metamorphic rocks  ( which are deformed and alternated rocks from the previous forms ,sedimentary and igneous.)

  Igneous rocks are formed from magma that resides deep in the Earth.  Magma is formed when high heat and pressure melt rocks  within the Earth. The magma will eventually spew  or come out of the Earth, it will  then  flow on Earth as lava. Then it will cool and crystallize. When this happens, it turns into a rock. Igneous rocks can form extrusive or intrusively .Meaning, that igneous rocks can also form even inside the Earth. When igneous rocks form intrusive, or inside, they can form as crystals.

  But after the igneous rocks have formed , weathering and erosion  occurs. When this happens the rock starts to decay or come apart, layer by layer. Then it will eventually become sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks are formed by remainders of  rock or sediments, fossils, and  sediments not only from the original rock but also other rocks that have also decayed . These sediments then are carried away. The then end up in a body of water and deposited . After a while the sediments start to be compressed and compacted together ,because of the water pressure. This is how the sediments cement together.

After a while sedimentary rocks or igneous rocks start to  move back down towards the center of the Earth. As it does this ,the intense pressure and heat changes the rocks chemical composition. And the rock starts to deform and alternate , as in the name, it is “morphing” . But most likely the metaphoric rock will turn into magma as the heat and pressure become too intense, as it goes deeper into the center of the Earth.

    Click here to learn the location of some mineral/rocks and their states,that they are formed and use in!

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What is a metamorphic rock?

Metaphoric rocks were actually once sedimentary or igneous rocks. Like as in their name, they “morphed” into  different rocks. Igneous and sedimentary rocks can transform into metamorphic rocks. This can happen when igneous or sedimentary rocks are exposed to highly intense heat and pressure. As this occurs  the atom structure of the rock starts to deform and restructure, as it melts and changes into a different form. If you look closely to a metamorphic rock, you can actually see the crushed grains .They look like “squiggly” lines or like flowing streams.

Click here to learn about the rock cycle!

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What is an igneous rock?

 Igneous rocks also known as  “ fire rocks”.  Because they  are either  formed above ground ( extrusive) ,or underground (intrusive). Underground they form when magma , or melted rock, that becomes trapped deep inside the Earth. They get trap in small pockets. As this happens , the magma will start to cool slowly underneath the ground. The magma then becomes a igneous rock.

  But Igneous rocks are also formed when volcanoes erupt. Because that means that the magma has risen out of Earth.  The magma will then flow on Earth’s surface as lava. As the lava cools and crystallizes,  it becomes an igneous rock as well. Igneous rocks are called “fire rocks”, because their origin is from magma. Which is an extremely hot substance. 

    Click here to learn about Sedimentary Rocks!

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What is a sedimentary rock?

A sedimentary rock is  a rock that is formed from  sediments, hence it's name "sedimentary rocks". For millions of years, rocks , minerals and our Earth have been eroded. The remaining sediments left behind are deposited into bodies of water such as , oceans, lakes, and rivers. As they wash down stream they settle at the bottom of the floor. As time goes by the sediments then start to get compressed into layers and layers of other sediments ,animal fossils, and more.  Eventually as the sediments get more compacted with more layers , with the help of water pressure, the sediments will cement together. Becoming a sedimentary rock. 

Click here to learn about Metamorphic Rocks!

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Metamorphic Rocks 

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Sedimentary Rocks

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Igneous Rocks

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Pennsylvania and Background information of Limestone

Pennsylvania is one out of the 6 leading states with companies that produce the most limestone. The other states being, Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio. “Lime” is a word that means  various forms of a basic chemical produced from calcium carbonate rocks such as limestone.

What is Limestone?  What is it used for?

Limestone is a sedimentary rock. It can be used in a variety of ways.  Limestone is mostly used in steel manufacturing ,because the lime is used as a flux to remove impurities such as phosphorus and sulfur. Lime is also used for mining, paper and paper production, water treatment and purification. And It is also used in traditional and road construction.

 How is it formed?

Limestone is commonly formed in marine waters. Limestone is a sedimentary rock that forms from the gathering of shell, coral, algal, fecal debris. It can also be formed by precipitation of calcium carbonate from lake or ocean waters. If it is formed like this , it becomes a chemical sedimentary rock.

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  Or click here to watch a video on Minerals! →

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Montana and Background information of lead

Montana is 1 out of 4 states to produce the most lead in the U.S.A. The other states being, Missouri, Alaska, and Idaho. The name “Lead” is presumed to come from an Anglo-Saxon background. So the origins of the name” Lead “is still unknown.

What is lead?  What is it used for?

Lead is a toxic metallic element that is  very soft and blue-gray. Because it is so soft it is blended with other elements. Lead is used to make  batteries for cars, trucks and other vehicles, wheel weights, solder, and bearings. Lead can also be found in  electronics and communications ammunition, television glass, construction, and protective coatings. Plus much more!

How is it formed?

Even though native lead was discovered in Sweden ,the element is still rare to find alone in nature. But combined with other elements, it forms a variety of beautiful and exotic minerals.  All of them weigh heavy because of the lead content that is within them.

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Georgia and Background information of Clay

Georgia is estimated to have reserves of 5 to 10 billion tons of kaolin clay. The name “Clay” means a number of earthy materials that are formed of minerals rich in alumina, silica and water. Clay is a very common material. Kaolin clay is also known as "china clay". Kaoline is a white, aluminosilicate widely used in paints, refractories, plastics, sanitary wares, fiberglass, adhesives, ceramics, and rubber products.

What is Clay?  What is it used for?

Clay is a mineral that is made up of a number of minerals. Clay is used for any products that we use every day. There is  six categories of clay though, the categories being : ball clay, bentonite, commonclay, fire clay, fuller’s clay, and kaolin. Here is some examples of what these types of clays can make and do:

 • Ball clays material and properties are best to make pottery , floor and wall tiles, sanitary ware, ware, and other uses.

  •Bentonite clay is formed and made of volcanic ash. It is used for pet litter ( to absorb liquids), used as mud in drilling applications, and it is used is also used in other operations such as the” pelletizing” of iron ore.

•Common clay is used to make construction materials. Things such as bricka,cement, and lightweight aggregates

.• Fire clays are used to make items that are resistant to extreme heat.

  •Fuller’s clay is used for absorbent products and it is also used for pesticides and pesticides-related products.

•Kaolin is an important ingredient in the making of high quality paper and refractory porcelains.  

How is it formed?

Clay is formed when a number of Earthy materials are composed of minerals that are  rich in alumina, silica, and water. When most clays are wet, they turn into “plastic” meaning  they can form and be made into shapes. But  when clay is “fired” ( meaning it is exposed to  high temperatures), the water that is contained inside vanishes and the clay becomes as hard as stone.

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Oklahoma and Background information of Gypsum

Oklahoma is 1 out of the 19 states to produce Gypsum in the U.S.A. Some of the others being, Iowa, Nevada, Texas, and California. The name gypsum is so ancient that the origin of its use is unknown. But the name “Gypsum” is from the Greek root “Gypsos”, which means plaster.

What is Gypsum?  What is it used for?

Gypsum is a mineral or it can become a sedimentary rock.  Gypsum actually belongs to a group of minerals called the sulfates. Gypsum is the most common out of  the 150 sulfate minerals. The most common use of gypsum is for wallboards and plaster products. And some gypsum is used to make Portland cement and it is also used in agriculture.

How is it formed?

Gypsum is found in either mineral or rock form in nature. When it is a mineral , it can become  very beautiful , sometimes very large, crystals. But when it is a rock,  it is sedimentary.  It is usually found in thick beds or layers. It forms with the combination of being in lagoons where there is high calcium-rich and sulfate ocean waters, that can slowly evaporate and regularly  replace new sources of water. The outcome of this, is the accumulation of large beds of sedimentary  gypsum.

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 California and Background information of Boron

California is the leading state of producing boron in the U.S.A. The production of boron in U.S.A all comes from the southeastern deserts of California. The origin of the name “Boron”  was presumed to have come from the Persian root “Burah”.

  What is Boron?  What is it used for?

Boron is an element that is semi-metallic. It exhibits some properties of a metal and some non-metal properties.  Boron is  usually not used as an element, but  instead as compounds of boric oxide and boric acid. A majority of people have never seen the elemental boron.

Boron is used for many purposes not only in the industry but also at home. For example, boron is used to make things such as glass, ceramics, enamels, softeners, soaps , detergents, and even fiber glass for insulation. You can also find boron compounds in agriculture chemicals, fire retardants, fireworks, medicine and much more!

How is it formed?

Boron is formed  from the major ores of boron which is a small percentage of boron oxide minerals. Minerals including ulexite, borax, colemanite, and kernite. These other minerals form when boron-bearing waters percolate into the desert lakes and then evaporate, leaving behind layers of borates, chlorides, and sulfates. These minerals are usually called evaporate minerals. 

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Oregon and Background information of Pumice

Oregon is known to be one of the 4 major producers of pumice in the U.S.A. Along with other states such as Arizona, California, and New México. The origin of the name “Pumice” comes from the Latin root “pumex”, which means foam.

What is Pumice?  What is it used for?

Pumice is an extrusive volcanic rock. Pumice is used to make lightweight construction materials. Things such as concrete block and concrete. Some of the pumice is also used in abrasives, horticulture, landscaping, and for washing blue jeans.

How is it formed?

Pumice is an extrusive  volcanic rock. It is made when lava with a very a high percentage of water and gases is thrown out of a volcano. The lava gets frothy when the gas bubbles escape from it. When the lava is cooled down it hardens, the result of this is a very light rock material filled with tiny bubbles of gas. 

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Colorado and Background information of Diamonds

Colorado is known to be one of the states in the U.S.A,  to have produced a small amount of diamonds. The origin of the name “Diamond” comes from the corruption of the Greek word “adamas” ,which means invincible. This name was relevant because of the diamonds known hardness.

What are diamonds?  What are they used for?

Diamonds is one of the two minerals that the element carbon can form. The other mineral being graphite, which is known to be the softest mineral on Earth; while diamond is the hardest  mineral on Earth. The reason why  the minerals are formed differently, hardness wise ,is because of the way the carbon atoms attach to one another. For example, in a diamond the atoms attach in a  three-dimensional way, that mineralogists call “framework”.

Diamonds are the hardest substance known . Because of this fact the industry uses diamonds because they are able to cut through any material. Industrial diamonds are put into large steel drill bits to drill into things such as rock, to search for water, oil, and natural gas. It is also known to be highly important to  manufactures of machinery ,because it is used for drilling and cutting metal machine parts.

How is it formed?

Diamonds are formed from pure carbon. Diamonds form  in very high temperatures and pressures, this kind of environment can only be found deep inside the Earth or even the upper mantel. In  a geological perspective, natural diamonds are found in kimberlites , which are pipe-like formations created from volcanic and tectonic activity. Kimberlites is a blue rock common of these pipes. Another place they can be found are through  placer deposits. Meaning that the diamonds start out as igneous rocks then erosion happens , which makes them into sedimentary rocks. The sedimentary rocks then washed away by streams and rivers. When the streams slow down, the diamonds then are deposited in the stream sands. Which are called placer deposits.

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Michigan and Background information of Peat

Michigan is one of three top states leading in production of Peat.  The two other states being Florida and Minnesota. The origin of the name comes from the Old Celtic root pett- ; which means piece in reference to a piece of peat that had been cut from a  bog.

What is Peat?  What Is it used for?

Peat is rotted plants compacted together, which is mostly sphagnum moss. Peat is located in wetland areas or environments , because new plants grow faster than the rate of the decomposing plants. The reason why Peat is located in these wetland areas, is because Peat  is made by plants rotting in places where it is cool and there isn’t much oxygen. Because this slows the process of decomposition .

Peat is extremely absorbent . Because of this fact approximately 95% of Peat is used in agriculture and horticulture. Because this mineral improves soil by retaining large amounts of water and liquid fertilizer. not only does it do this It is usually used for potting plants, earthworm farms, and golf course maintenance. It can also be used for gardening and in some parts of Ireland; peat is used to heat homes by burning it in their fireplaces.

But it doesn’t stop there! Because as said before ,Peat is extremely absorbent . The industry finds this very useful when it comes to oil spills, because Peat is great at absorbing it. Actually because of this , peat is a very good material to filter contaminants from water. Isn’t that  amazing!

 How is it formed?

Peat is formed by decomposing plants that become compacted together , in an wetland environment. An example of “Wetlands” are floodplains, marshes, swamps, and coastal wetlands. Peat is actually the first material to transform plant matter into coal.  As coal formation continues, volatile materials like water are driven off, as the carbon content increases, it will make it more dense and hard. The majority of the peat that is reaped  is named reed-sedge peat. Other reaped types are sphagnum moss, humus, and hypnum.

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