Geology Unit 3: Minerals and Rocks

Hydrogen and helium.

Hydrogen (92%)

Within galaxies, most natural elements will join with others to form compounds and molecules that we see as molecular clouds (nebula) or space dust.

This formation process is repeated throughout the known universe. thus we should expect to find the same elements, compounds, and minerals everywhere in our universe. 

the four most abundant elements of the Earth's crust (88%) include oxygen (47%), slicon (28%), aluminum (8%) and iron (5%)

the initial rocks and minerals on most planets and other rocky bodies should be similar to those on Earth.

A mineral is inorganic and cannot be composed of any decayed plant or animal matter.

For tax purposes. Minerals are taxed at a higher rate than rocks.

Yes, a mineral must be solid.

Carbon.

Their differences are within the crystal structure.

Nothing on Earth is harder than a diamond. A one carat diamond equals in weight to a 2x2 Post-it note.

Shape often taken when a mineral is broken; such as cubes of halite

Resistance to abrasion, often compared to other minerals.

Because one mineral may have many colors.

the only difference between rubies and sapphires is that rubies are red and sapphires are generally blue. But they are the same mineral:corundum.

Is a mineral that we call "salt" (NaCl-sodium chloride).

Halite has a cubic cleavage (breaks into cubes).

It is used as a soil conditioner (especially for black sticky soil), Plaster of Paris, Alabaster carvings and most importantly sheetrock.

Gypsum has a hardness of two (2 which can be scratched with your fingernail) and has perfect cleavage (breaks into smooth sheets).

Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).

Magnetite.

Sulfur is commonly found in the cap rock of salt domes and near steam vents that surround volcanoes. 

Quartz is very hard. Quartz can scratch glass. but steel cannot scratch quartz.

Melted quartz sand is used to make glass.

Quartz is CC area includes beach and river sand, and chert (flint or gravel). Sand and chert are among the most important components of concrete used with the building industry.

Olivine. 

A naturally occurring aggregate of one or more minerals.

• 1.) Igneous system
• 2.) Sedimentary system
• 3.) Metamorphic system

Plate tectonics and hydrologic system are responsible for the recycling of rock material and are the driving forces that can take hundreds of millions of years to completely change a rock.

Igneous rock.

Scoria is used for BBQ pits and decorative rocks.

Pumice is the only igneous rock that floats on water and is commonly found on Padre Island.

Biotite, Orthoclase (Feldspar), and Quartz.

The nearest Texas granite mass is the Enchanted Rock, NW of San Antonio.

• Clastic or Derital sediments have solid particles derived from pre-existing rocks.
• Chemical sediments have two different types. 
• 1.) Biochemical sediments: solid particles created by plants and animals.
• 2.)Evaporation sediments: solid particles derived from evaporation.

It's accomplished by precipitation of minerals within sediments (coating with minerals of calcite, slilica, or iron)

It's a vegetation matter modified by biochemical processes and consolidated into rock

Basically consolidated, harden mud that can be rich with organic material and this includes the Eagle Ford shale.

The Eagle Ford shale has led to major oil and gas boom in South Texas.

Gneiss.

Limestone.

Calcite.

Metamorphic.