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  2. Rock cycle - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_cycle

    This diamond is a mineral from within an igneous or metamorphic rock that formed at high temperature and pressure. The rock cycle is a basic concept in geology that describes transitions through geologic time among the three main rock types: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. Each rock type is altered when it is forced out of its ...

  3. List of rock types - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rock_types

    Any unique combination of chemical composition, mineralogy, grain size, texture, or other distinguishing characteristics can describe a rock type. Additionally, different classification systems exist for each major type of rock. [1] There are three major types of rock: igneous rock, metamorphic rock, and sedimentary rock.

  4. Petrology - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrology

    Petrology has three subdivisions: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology. [2] Igneous and metamorphic petrology are commonly taught together because both make heavy use of chemistry, chemical methods, and phase diagrams. Sedimentary petrology is commonly taught together with stratigraphy because it deals with the processes that form ...

  5. Basement (geology) - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basement_(geology)

    Basement rock is the thick foundation of ancient, and oldest, metamorphic and igneous rock that forms the crust of continents, often in the form of granite. [2] Basement rock is contrasted to overlying sedimentary rocks which are laid down on top of the basement rocks after the continent was formed, such as sandstone and limestone. The ...

  6. Igneous rock - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igneous_rock

    Igneous rock (igneous from Latin igneus 'fiery'), or magmatic rock, is one of the three main rock types, the others being sedimentary and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. The magma can be derived from partial melts of existing rocks in either a planet's mantle or crust.

  7. Metamorphic rock - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamorphic_rock

    The protolith may be an igneous, sedimentary, or existing metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks make up a large part of the Earth's crust and form 12% of the Earth's land surface. [2] They are classified by their protolith, their chemical and mineral makeup, and their texture. They may be formed simply by being deeply buried beneath the Earth's ...

  8. Rock (geology) - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_(geology)

    Metamorphic rocks are formed by subjecting any rock type—sedimentary rock, igneous rock or another older metamorphic rock—to different temperature and pressure conditions than those in which the original rock was formed. This process is called metamorphism, meaning to "change in form". The result is a profound change in physical properties ...

  9. Unconformity - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconformity

    A nonconformity exists between sedimentary rocks and metamorphic or igneous rocks when the sedimentary rock lies above and was deposited on the pre-existing and eroded metamorphic or igneous rock. Namely, if the rock below the break is igneous or has lost its bedding due to metamorphism, then the plane of juncture is a nonconformity. [5]