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43 Cards in this Set
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Mineral |
A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite composition/compositional range and fixed internal atomic (crystalline) structure |
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Physical Characteristics of Minerals (8) |
1. Color 2. Streak 3. Hardness 4. Luster 5. Tenacity 6. Diaphaneity 7. Specific Gravity 8. Cleavage/Fracture **Bonus: The chemical composition and arrangement control these |
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Tenacity |
A mineral's resistance to bending before breakage |
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Diaphaneity |
How well a mineral transmits light - can range from transparent to opaque |
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Specific Gravity |
The weight of a sample compared to the weight of the same mass of water |
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Mineral Compositional Groups |
Native Elements: Copper, gold, sulfur, etc. Oxides: Metal + Oxygen Sulfides: Metal + Sulfur Sulfates: Metal + (SO4)-2 Carbonates: Metal + (CO3)-2 Halides: Metal + Halogens (Fl, Cl, Br, I) Phosphates: Metal + (PO4)-3 Silicates: Contains silicate group |
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Cleavage |
The breaking or splitting of mineral crystals along planes of internal weakness |
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Fracture |
An irregular break in a rock along a surface without a definite shape (not along planes) |
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Silica Tetrahedron |
SiO4 |
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Bowens Reaction Series |
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Texture |
Refers to grain size of mineral crystals: larger grains = slower cooling |
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Aphanitic Texture |
Fine grains |
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Phaneritic Texture |
Grains visible to the naked eye |
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Porphyritic Texture |
Cooling rate began at one rate and changed partway through, leading to differing grain sizes |
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Glassy Texture |
Incredibly small grains due to very fast cooling rate |
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Vesicular Texture |
“Bubbles” leftover in the rock from dissolved gases |
Think pumice |
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Pegmatites |
Large crystalline growths due to a non-viscous magma (compounds can move past each other easier) |
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Stages of Coal Formation |
1. Plant Material - partially alteredd, MUST be preserved, 2. Peat - Soft brown coal, compression begins, moderate energy 3. Lignite - Fine-grained 4. Biotuminous - soft, |
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Sedimentary Rocks |
Created through chemical and physical weathering, account for 5% (by weight) of Earth’s outer 10mi of crust |
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Lithification |
The process by which sediment is turned into solid rock by compaction and cementation |
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Diagenesis |
Chemical, physical, and biological changes that take place after the sediments have been deposited. |
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Clastic/Detrital Rocks |
Sediments transported from other rocks as solid particles |
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Chemical Rocks |
Sediment that was once in a solution, and was precipitated |
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Constituents of Clastics |
-Clay minerals -Quartz -Feldspars -Micas |
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Sand Size |
1/16-2mm |
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Conglomerate |
Consists of rounded gravels |
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Stages of Coal Formation |
1. Peat 2. Lignite 3. Bituminous 4. Anthracite |
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Stress Types |
Compression Tension Sheer |
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Geothermal Gradient |
Increase in temperature with an increase in depth |
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Uniform Pressure |
Pressure on rock is equal on all sides |
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Differential Stress |
Stress differs directionally, can align grains/particles depending on direction of stress |
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Compressional Deformation |
Aligns grains/particles perpendicular to stress |
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Tensional Deformation |
Aligns grains/particles parallel to stress (pulling) |
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Sheer Deformation |
Aligns grains/particles parallel to stress (sliding) |
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Peat |
First stage of coal formation. Partially altered plant material, burns at a low energy. |
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Lignite |
Second stage of coal formation. Soft brown coal burns at a moderate energy. |
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Bituminous |
Third stage of coal formation. Soft black coal, high energy when burnt. Often used in industry and power generation. |
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Anthracite |
Fourth stage of coal formation. Hard black coal often used industry and burnt at a high energy. This stage is metamorphic. |
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Continental Sedimentary Environments |
Dominated by stream erosion and deposition (fluvial). Also includes glacial, wind (eolian), and lake (lacustrine) |
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Marine Sedimentary Environments |
Shallow, from 0-200m. Includes the continental shelf. Deep, seaward of the continental shelf. |
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Transitional Sedimentary Environments |
Shoreline environments, including tidal flats, lagoons, and deltas |
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Sedimentary Structures |
Graded beds Ripple marks Mud cracks Fossils |
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Metamorphic Rocks |
Rocks that have “changed shape” due to heat and pressure |
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