Explore the Different Types of Rocks and Minerals

The World of Rocks and Minerals

Rocks and minerals are the building blocks of Earth's crust, with each type having unique properties. Rocks are classified into three main types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks form from the cooling of molten lava, sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation of sediments, and metamorphic rocks are transformed by heat and pressure.

Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic substances that form the basic units of rocks. They can be identified by their physical properties, such as color, hardness, and crystal structure, and are essential for many processes in both the natural world and human industry.

Did You Know?

• Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals found in Earth's crust.
• Granite is an example of an igneous rock, while limestone is a common sedimentary rock.
• Metamorphic rocks, such as marble, are formed from the transformation of existing rocks under heat and pressure.
• The Mohs scale of hardness ranks minerals from softest to hardest based on their ability to scratch other minerals.