Rock Cycle
What is the process by which rocks change from one type to another?
The rock cycle?
What are the three main types of rocks?
What are igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary?
What is the term for the initial stage of crystal formation?
Nucleation
What is liquefaction?
A process where saturated soil temporarily loses its strength during an earthquake.
What type of rock is a pluton?
Igneous rock
What type of rock is formed by cooling and solidifying magma or lava?
Igneous rock
How are metamorphic rocks formed?
Through heat and pressure applied to existing rocks
What is the chemical formula for table salt?
NaCl
Sandy, saturated soils
What is a sill?
A tabular igneous intrusion that runs parallel to the layers of existing rock, does not pierce them, and is usually horizontal.
What process involves the wearing away of rocks and minerals on the Earth's surface?
Erosion
What type of rock is formed from the accumulation of organic materials?
Sedimentary rock
What type of structure do crystals typically have?
Regular, repeating patterns
What is one cause of liquefaction?
Ground shaking from an earthquake
What is a dike?
An igneous intrusion that cuts across layers of rock, usually vertical or steeply inclined.
Name one way sedimentary rocks can form.
Compaction and cementation of sediments
Describe one characteristic of igneous rocks.
They can have a crystalline structure or be glassy in appearance. They can also have holes or tunnels formed by bubbles.
How do non-crystalline solids differ from crystalline solids?
Non-crystalline solids lack a defined geometric structure.
What are the three categories of methods in mitigation for liquefaction?
1. Soil Improvement
2. Structural improvement
3. Avoidance
How do sills and dikes differ in their formation?
Sills are horizontal, dikes are vertical or steeply inclined.
Explain how metamorphic rocks can transform into sedimentary rocks in the rock cycle.
Metamorphic rocks can be weathered and eroded into smaller particles, which are then transported and deposited. Over time, these sediments can compact and cement together to form sedimentary rocks.
Describe the formation process of sedimentary rocks and give two examples of sedimentary rock types.
Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of sediments. Examples include limestone and sandstone.
Discuss the role of temperature and pressure in the formation of crystals, and provide an example of a mineral that forms under specific conditions.
Temperature and pressure affect the rate at which crystals form; higher temperatures can lead to faster crystal growth. For example, quartz forms from silica-rich fluids at high temperatures and pressures.
What are the long-term impacts of liquefaction on buildings and infrastructure, and what engineering practices can mitigate these effects?
Liquefaction can cause buildings to tilt, sink, or collapse, leading to severe damage and costly repairs. Engineering practices to mitigate these effects include deep foundations, ground reinforcement, and improved drainage systems.
Describe the formation of plutons.
Plutons form when magma intrudes into the Earth's crust and cools slowly beneath the surface, resulting in coarse-grained igneous rock. A pluton is a general term for any large igneous intrusion, while a batholith is a very large pluton (over 100 square kilometers).