The earliest recorded rocks in Australia date back more than 3000 million age, making it one of the world's oldest surviving geological features. But the volcanoes containing basalt rocks, rhyolite that last erupted a few years ago, are geologically considerably younger.
The science of geology includes petrology, which is the study of these rocks. According to it, rocks are composed of minerals. They are a solid collection of minerals. These rocks take years to form and are a beautiful part of the nature.
There are Three Primary Categories of Rock:
Sedimentary Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Different types of rocks such as basalt rocks, shale, conglomerate, pumice, sandstone, gneiss, schist, and many more lie under them.
#1. Sedimentary Rocks: Sedimentary rocks are composed of debris that has accumulated on the soil surface. They can be eroded and weathered from parent rocks. They form as particulates that rest out of water or air or when minerals precipitate from water. They contain sand, pebbles, minerals, and dirt. They erode off the ground, are transported by rivers, or blown by the wind, and collected.
Examples:
l Coal is made up of decomposed plants. Power plants use coal to generate energy.
l Production of cement, insecticides, paper, linoleum, fibreglass, lime, glass, carpet backing, petrochemicals, and the layering on many chewing gums use limestone.
#2. Igneous Rocks: When molten rock, also known as magma or lava, cools and hardens, igneous rocks develop. It can happen at or near - top, at modest depths in the Earth's crust, or even deep within it. They usually have tiny or indistinct crystals and a shiny appearance. Basalt rocks are the most popular rocks used under this category.
Because magma is heated and lightweight than the surrounding rock, it rises to the Earth's surface. The basaltic rocks are rich in minerals like magnesium and also have a high content of iron in them. Once it reaches the Earth's surface via a vent or crack, it is known as lava. It cools fast when exposed to air and water, and as a result, the crystals that make it up are generally fine granulated.
Examples:
l Pumice is a loose, fragile rhyolite type that is light enough to float. It is utilized in hand soaps, emery boards, and other abrasive products.
l Gabbro has a layered structure that is created by consecutive layers of varying mineral content. Crushed stone is used in concrete aggregate, road metal, railroad ballast, and other applications.
l Basalt rock is a dark grey to black volcanic rock that is rich in ferromagnesian minerals and is the volcanic counterpart of plutonic gabbro.
#3. Metamorphic Rocks: Extremely submerged subterranean rocks are formed when it is subjected to extremely high pressure and temperature. As a consequence, the rocks will alter physically or chemically. When previously buried rocks come into touch with hot volcanic matter, they get baked or cooked without being molten. It is known as contact metamorphism. Existing rocks undergo metamorphism as a response to heat, pressure, or reactive fluids.
Examples:
l When limestone undergoes metamorphism, it changes into a harder and crystalline structure known as marble.
l When a shale rock undergoes metamorphism, it can transform into slate.
l Aggregates made of basalt rock can be utilized.
l Quartzite is a crystalline metamorphic or sedimentary rock composed of spherical quartz grains bonded by crystalline quartz. Its hue ranges from white to light grey to yellow to brown.
Ultimately, advance efficiency and research have resulted in a deeper understanding and usage of geological features. Hopefully, the above-mentioned information about various rocks has given you a deep insight about the usage of natural rocks in our daily lives. Limestone, coal, and basalt rocks are all commonly used rocks. We might not even know and we come across many things we use in our daily life that are made of these rocks. Hence, knowing more about rocks is an adventure for us.
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