Layers of the Earth
This is the thin outer layer of the Earth
The crust
The process that breaks down or changes rocks
Weathering
An inorganic substance found naturally in the Earth
A mineral
A gemstone that is rare, hard, and beautiful
Precious stone
What is a rock?
A hard, natural substance made of one or more minerals
This layer is made of hot, semisolid rock and makes up most of Earth’s mass
The mantle
Loose material found on Earth’s surface
Soil
A mineral’s ability to scratch and resist being scratched
Hardness
What is a gemstone?
A mineral that can be cut and polished for use
What type of rock is formed when layers of sediment are pressed together and hardened
Sedimentary Rock
This is the center layer of the Earth made of iron and nickel
The core
The movement of sediment by wind, water, or ice
Erosion
The uneven breaking of a mineral
Fracture
What is ore?
A rock that contains a valuable mineral
Rock that forms from cooled magma or lava
This Earth system includes solid rock, soil, and sediments
The geosphere
The process where sediment is dropped in a new location
Deposition
What is cleavage?
The breaking of a mineral along smooth, straight lines
The process that uses extreme heat to separate metal from ore
Smelting
What is metamorphic rock?
Rock formed when existing rocks are changed by heat and pressure
This part of the Earth includes the crust and the upper mantle
The lithosphere
Which process happens first: weathering, erosion, or deposition?
Weathering
What is luster?
The property that describes how light reflects off a mineral
What is a lapidary?
A skilled person who cuts and polishes gems
What is intrusive igneous rock?
Igneous rock that forms when magma cools below Earth’s surface