Module 2

The Rock Cycle - Processes and Products

Grimsvotn Iceland

The Rock Cycle

Draw a simplified diagram showing the rock cycle and the processes which operate within in

Definitions

Surface processes:

Weathering ......

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Erosion ......

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Transportation ......

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Deposition ......

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Extrusion ......

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Below surface processes:

Burial ......

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Diagenisis ......

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Recrystallisation ......

......

Metamorphism ......

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Partial melting ......

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Magma accumulation ......

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Crystallisation ......

......

Intrusion ......

......

Uplift ......

......

Igneous sedimentary and metamorphic rocks

Igneous / Sedimentary / Metamorphic
How they form
Temperature
Pressure
Characteristics
Thin section drawing / / /

Geological time

Eon / Era / Period / Time (my)
Mnemonic

Sedimentary Processes and Products

Weathering

Definitions

Chemical weathering ......

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Hydrolysis ......

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Hydration ......

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Oxidation ......

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Carbonation ......

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Physical weathering ......

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Frost shattering (freeze thaw) ......

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Draw a series of diagrams to explain this

Exfoliation ......

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Draw a series of diagrams to explain this

Biological weathering ......

......

Examples:

Transportation

Gravity:

Grain size-

Grain shape-

Roundness-

Sorting-

Wind:

Grain size-

Grain shape-

Roundness-

Sorting-

Ice:

Grain size-

Grain shape-

Roundness-

Sorting-

Sea (near land):

Grain size-

Grain shape-

Roundness-

Sorting-

Sea (off shore):

Grain size-

Grain shape-

Roundness-

Sorting-

Rivers (at source):

Grain size-

Grain shape-

Roundness-

Sorting-

Rivers (at mouth):

Grain size-

Grain shape-

Roundness-

Sorting-

The way grains are carried

Definitions

Traction ......

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Saltation ......

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Suspension......

......

Solution ......

Deserts

Draw a diagram here to represent the 3 facies to a desert environment

Add in thin sections of the sediment in each facies

Deltas

Draw a diagram here to represent the 3 facies to a desert environment from an aerial view

Add in thin sections of the sediment in each facies

Deltas

Draw a diagram here to represent the 3 facies to a desert environment from a section view

Add in thin sections of the sediment in each facies

ShallowClasticSeas

Draw a diagram here to represent a simplified cross section though a shallow clastic sea

Add a thin section for the littoral zone, close off shore and far off shore

ShallowCarbonateSeas

Draw a diagram here to represent a simplified cross section though a shallow carbonate sea

Add a thin section for the material formed in each part of the reef

Sedimentary Structures

Structure / Diagram correct way up / Diagram inverted / Environment / How it forms / Palaeoenvironment indicator
Cross bedding
Ripple marks
Graded bedding
Desiccation cracks

Definitions

Lithification ......

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Diagenisis ......

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Igneous Processes and Products

Intrusion / Depth / Diagram / Major or minor / Hypabyssal or plutonic / Concordant or discordant
Batholith
Sill
Transgressive sill
Dyke

Definitions

Chilled margin ......

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How does it form? ......

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Baked zone ......

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How does it form? ......

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Metamorphic aureole ......

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How does it form? ......

......

Draw a diagram here of a dyke and batholith to show the three features above

Sills V Lava flows

Sill / Lava flow
Diagram / Diagram
Differences / Differences

Grain sizes and cooling rates

Extrusion / Intrusion
Hypabyssal / Intrusion
Plutonic
Cooling rate
Grain size
Diagram / / /

Textures

Equigranular:

How does it form? ......

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Porphyritic:

How does it form? ......

......

Vesicular:

How does it form? ......

......

Volcanoes

At Constructive plate margins and hot spots

Shield Volcano

Draw a diagram of a shield volcano

Characteristics:

Products:

Fissure Volcano (submarine)

Draw a diagram of a fissure volcano

Characteristics:

Products:

At Destructive plate margins

Strato-volcano (Composite Volcano)

Draw a diagram of a strato-volcano

Characteristics:

Products:

Caldera formation

Stage 1

Diagram

Stage 2

Diagram

Stage 3

Diagram

Geysers

Draw a fully labelled diagram to explain how these work

Living in a volcanically active area

Advantages / Disadvantages

Methods for predicting activity

Method / Description
Historic pattern of activity
Changes in ground level
Changes in gas composition
Precursor earthquake tremors

Risk analysis

Draw a hazard map for a known volcano here

Metamorphic Processes and Products

Regional metamorphism

Parent rock: Mudstone

Slate SchistGneiss

Contact metamorphism

Parent rock: Mudstone

Spotted slate Andalusite slate Hornfels

Contact and regional metamorphism of:

Sandstone Metaquartzite

LimestoneMarble

Metamorphic aureoles

Factors which affect the size of the aureole: