answersLogoWhite

0

Rocks tell the story of the Earth. The Earth is made of rock, from the tallest mountains to the floor of the deepest ocean. Thousands of different types of rocks and minerals have been found on Earth. Most rocks at the Earth's surface are formed from only eight elements (oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium), but these elements are combined in a number of ways to make rocks that are very different.

Rocks are continually changing. Wind and water wear them down and carry bits of rock away; the tiny particles accumulate in a lake or ocean and harden into rock again. The oldest rock that has ever been found is more than 3.9 billion years old. The Earth itself is at least 4.5 billion years old, but rocks from the beginning of Earth's history have changed so much from their original form that they have become new kinds of rock. By studying how rocks form and change, scientists have built a solid understanding of the Earth we live on and its long history.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is the science of rocks?

The science of rocks is known as geology. Geology is the study of the Earth's materials, including rocks, minerals, and the processes that shape the Earth's surface. Geologists study the different types of rocks, how they are formed, and what they can tell us about the Earth's history.


What do igneous rocks tell us about the earth?

ashoka


Why are sedimentary rock are important?

Answer: Sedimentary rocks contain the entire history of life on earth that is available to us, and much of the history of the Earth itself. All of this information will help us determine how we got where we are today.


Is it true when you study earth's interior geologists often rely on indirect such as evidence from fossils?

No. Fossils tell us about what was living at or near the earths surface in the past, they do not tell us about the Earth's interior. When studying the Earth's interior, geologists look at micro gravity variations (which tell us about density differences in deep rocks), magnetic variations (which tell us a bit about the deep rocks composition) and most importantly seismic records (which tell us about the physical properties of the deep rocks). We also look for deep rocks that have been brought to the surface during the collision of continents (the roots of mountains) and volcanic events (such as diamond pipes).


Why are sedimentary rocks important to scientists?

Answer: Sedimentary rocks contain the entire history of life on earth that is available to us, and much of the history of the Earth itself. All of this information will help us determine how we got where we are today.


Why is the study of ancint bones important to us today?

they tell the history wat happend to our earth and who first inhabbited this place before us


How can studying rocks help us understand what Earth was like in the distant past?

Studying rocks can help us understand Earth's past by revealing information about its formation, history, and changes over time. By analyzing the composition, structure, and age of rocks, scientists can reconstruct past environments, climates, and geological events, providing valuable insights into the Earth's ancient conditions and processes.


How have the moon rocks that astronauts brought back to earth help scientist understand the history of the moon?

The moon rocks that astronauts brought back to Earth foe scientists to understand the history of the moon by having them study how old the moon is and determine its age. It can also tell the layers which now we already know. Also the moon pieces helped us determine how the surface of the moon is like with out going there, which saves money. - Angie Plata


What do palaeontlogists do?

Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life - mainly their identity and origin, their environment and evolution, and what they can tell us about the Earth's history.


Could space rocks be a danger to earth?

Yes, space rocks can be very dangerous to earth especially when they are close to us.


What do things in museum tell us?

they tell the history


What are the good beneficial effects of volcano?

They allow us to study the history of Earth and study deeper layers of it. It also creates igneous rocks which are fun to look at!