Difference between revisions of "Rocks"

Latest revision as of 03:32, June 24, 2016

Rocks, also referred to as Rock (singular English) are hard, but somewhat brittle molecular objects containg crystals of one or more minerals. There are many varieties of rocks including basalt and conglomerate, but many simply know them as rocks.

Rocks are classifed as one of three types: sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Sedimentary rocks (for instance, conglomerate, sandstone, shale, and limestone) are formed when particles such as sand, clay, or shells are deposited, compacted, and buried. Igneous rocks (basalt, andesite, dacite, rhyolite) are formed when magma is extruded by a volcano or at spreading undersea ridges such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Obsidian, though formed from magma, is not technically a rock because it lacks crystal structure; it is, in fact, a natural glass. Metamorphic rocks (marble, slate) are formed when igneous or sedimentary rocks are buried and subjected to sufficient heat and pressure.

The study of rocks is referred to as geology, not to be confused with geometry or geography. These folks study the crystalline structures of rocks.

There are many types of rocks other than geological rocks that are found in the ground. These include candy rocks, a form of hard sugar crystal; crack rocks, an addictive substance derived from cocaine; and Hot Rocks, a Rolling Stones CD.

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-Rocks, also referred to as Rock (singular english) are hard, but somewhat brittle molecular objects. There are many variations including Basalt and Obsidian, but many simply know them as rocks.
+'''Rocks''', also referred to as Rock (singular English) are hard, but somewhat brittle molecular objects containg crystals of one or more minerals. There are many varieties of rocks including basalt and conglomerate, but many simply know them as rocks.
-Generally, people who study rocks are referred to as geologists, not to be confused with geometry, or geogeometrologists (scientists who study the geometry of geological structures). These folks study the crystalline structures of rocks.
+Rocks are classifed as one of three types: sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic.  [[Sedimentary rocks]] (for instance, conglomerate, sandstone, shale, and limestone) are formed when particles such as sand, clay, or shells are deposited, compacted, and buried.  [[Igneous rocks]] (basalt, andesite, dacite, rhyolite) are formed when magma is extruded by a [[volcano]] or at spreading undersea ridges such as the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]].  [[Obsidian]], though formed from magma, is not technically a rock because it lacks crystal structure; it is, in fact, a natural glass.  [[Metamorphic rocks]] (marble, slate) are formed when igneous or sedimentary rocks are buried and subjected to sufficient heat and pressure.
-There are many types of rocks other than geological rocks that are often found in the ground. For instance, Candy rocks, a form of hard sugar crystal, and crack rocks, an addictive substance derived from cocaine which is extracted from mines deep in the Columbian jungle.
+The study of rocks is referred to as [[geology]], not to be confused with [[geometry]] or [[geography]]. These folks study the crystalline structures of rocks.
-Rocks in popular culture:
+There are many types of rocks other than geological rocks that are found in the ground. These include candy rocks, a form of hard sugar crystal; crack rocks, an addictive substance derived from cocaine; and Hot Rocks, a Rolling Stones CD.
-Rocks as a whole are quite well represented in the media.  Many rocks have achieved fame, such as the rocks on top of Mt. Suribachi and Plymouth rock.  Others have become infamous, such as the rocks that make up the dangerous Strait of Magellan.
-In paleolithic times, rocks were stigmatized by their use as weapons, but were used for construction purposes anyway because of the limited materials available to Stone Age people.  Today, thanks to an aggressive public relations campaign undertaken by the American Geological Society on behalf of rocks, minerals, and naturally formed glasses, rocks are appreciated as the building blocks of Zen stone gardens.  Rocks today are only rarely associated with murder.
+[[Category:Geology]]
+[[Category:Soil]]