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Why would the depth at which a rock was forms determine its type?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Some rocks, such as the metamorphic variety, require intense pressure and/or heat to form, and the deeper in the crust a rock is, the more prevalent these two factors are. Also, sedimentary rock is formed from compression of various rock layers usually at the bottom of an ocean or stream. from my understanding it is usually closer to the top. Igneous rock forms from lava and magma cooling, which naturally is closer to the surface than the other two, usually. I say usually because magma can create underground pockets and cool therein.
So, in summary, a rock's type is primarily determined by the means it was formed, but secondarily by the heat and pressure associated with underground/water depth.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Why would the depth at which a rock forms determine its type?
Some rocks, such as the metamorphic variety, require intense pressure and/or heat to form, and the deeper in the crust a rock is, the more prevalent these two factors are. Also, sedimentary rock is formed from compression of various rock layers usually at the bottom of an ocean or stream. from my understanding it is usually closer to the top. Igneous rock forms from lava and magma cooling, which naturally is closer to the surface than the other two, usually. I say usually because magma can create underground pockets and cool therein. So, in summary, a rock's type is primarily determined by the means it was formed, but secondarily by the heat and pressure associated with underground/water depth.
A coarse-grained rock and a fine-grained rock probably had different what?
Methods of formation. If crystalline (igneous or metamorphic) they would most likely have had differing rates of cooling. If sedimentary, they would most likely have had differing depositional environments (higher energy for larger grain sizes).
Would new igneous rock be formed if Earths temperature did not increase with depth?
No
What is the main rock that forms the earth's crust out of the three types of rocks?
If this is a test question, beware! The most common answer served up by public education would be 'igneous rock'. However, the bulk of crustal rock is metamorophic. The reason for this is fairly simple: rock metamorphoses at higher temperature and pressure, both of which increase significantly with depth from the surface. Since oceanic crustal rock is on average 5 miles in depth, and continental crust is on average 30 miles in depth, the bulk of the crustal rock is exposed to great pressures and temperatures. When it is written that oceanic crust is mainly basalt, an igneous rock, and continental crust is mainly granite, also an igneous rock, it is mainly in reference to their chemical composition, not their classification by type. Warning: be prepared to back up your 'metamorphic' answer.
Is the sedimentary rock that forms when minerals precipitate from a solution and settle from a suspension organic chemical or clastic sedimentary rock?
They would be referred to as chemical sedimentary rock.
Why would the depth at which a rock forms determine its type?
Some rocks, such as the metamorphic variety, require intense pressure and/or heat to form, and the deeper in the crust a rock is, the more prevalent these two factors are. Also, sedimentary rock is formed from compression of various rock layers usually at the bottom of an ocean or stream. from my understanding it is usually closer to the top. Igneous rock forms from lava and magma cooling, which naturally is closer to the surface than the other two, usually. I say usually because magma can create underground pockets and cool therein. So, in summary, a rock's type is primarily determined by the means it was formed, but secondarily by the heat and pressure associated with underground/water depth.
What type of rock forms in layers?
That would be sedimentary rock, and (honorable mention) occasionally metamorphic rock.
What would you do to determine the volume of a rock?
You would determine the volume of water it displaces and measure it.
How do you determine the depth of a door jamb?
The depth of a door jamb can be determined by physically measuring it. The door and frame measuring charts can be used to determine the depth of the door jamb.
Geologists would used qualitative measurement to?
- to determine the chemical nature of a rock - to determine the age of a rock by comparison
A coarse-grained rock and a fine-grained rock probably had different what?
Methods of formation. If crystalline (igneous or metamorphic) they would most likely have had differing rates of cooling. If sedimentary, they would most likely have had differing depositional environments (higher energy for larger grain sizes).
What characteristics determines the chemical composition of an igneous rock?
An igneous rock is any crystalline or glassy rock that forms from cooling of a magma. Color and texture help determine the chemical composition of the rock.
Would new igneous rock be formed if Earths temperature did not increase with depth?
No
What kind of rock forms when rock is pulled apart?
A normal fault would form.
How would you determine the iron content in a igneous rock?
Samples of the rock could be crushed to a fine powder, then separated by magnets to determine the relative percentage of iron.
What metamorphic rock forms from sandstone?
Quartzite is the metamorphic rock that forms from sandstone. During the process of metamorphism, the sandstone is subjected to heat and pressure, causing the grains to recrystallize and fuse together, resulting in the formation of quartzite.
What igneous rock would form from the magma if it did not reach the surface but instead crystallized at great depth?
If magma does not reach the surface and instead crystallizes at great depth, it forms an intrusive igneous rock called granite. Granite is coarse-grained and typically composed of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica. It forms slowly over millions of years beneath the Earth's surface before being exposed through erosion.
