Geology 1B����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Spring 2002

Historical Geology������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� R. Lopez

 

Study Questions:

The Rock Cycle and Igneous Rocks

 

1)      Read the discussion on igneous rocks on pages 40-42.

2)      Be able to sketch and discuss the rock cycle diagram.

3)      What is the origin of the term �igneous�, and what do all igneous rocks have in common?

 

4)      What are sediments, what are they composed of, and where are they deposited?

 

 

5)      What is the difference between sediments and sedimentary rock?

 

 

6)      What does the process of lithification involve?

 

 

7)      What is the most distinctive feature of sedimentary rocks as a group?

 

 

8)      What is the origin of the term �metamorphic�, and how do metamorphic rocks form?

 

 

9)      Igneous rocks are classified based principally on what two characteristics?

 

 

10)  Why is grain size important?Contrast grain sizes of volcanic and plutonic rocks.

 

 

11)  Draw a simple cross-section showing a magma chamber, pluton, sill, dike, and country rock.How do sills and dikes differ?How do intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks differ? (see Fig. 2-11 page 41)

12)  What is pyroclastic?What is fall-out tuff?What is ash-flow tuff?

 

 

13)  What is a batholith?Name one batholith in California.

 

 

14)  Describe a porphyritic texture, and what does it tell you about the cooling history of the rock?

 

 

15)  Name the principal igneous rock-forming silicate minerals, and group them as �light� (felsic) or �dark� (mafic) minerals.

 

 

16)  Know the directions that SiO2, FeO, dark minerals, and light minerals increase or decrease according to rock type on the chart.

 

 

17)  Peridotite is important for at least two reasons.What are they?

 

 

18)  What is the most abundant type of volcanic rock on earth?Be able to make a simple cross-section sketch of oceanic crust at a mid-ocean ridge and show where basalt and gabbro are found.

 

 

19)  What are pillow basalts and what is their significance?(See text, Fig 6.14 p. 143, Fig 9.1b p. 214, and Fig 8.7c p. 196).

 

 

20)  Be able to sketch the plate tectonic setting of the common rock types (granite, rhyolite, granodiorite, andesite, diorite, basalt, and gabbro) and say a few words about their origin.