Exam 20: Rocks and Minerals

Rocks formed by cooling from a molten state are

The type of fossilization that occurs when the remains of an organism are replaced by mineral matter is called

Limestone may be made up of

The most violent volcanic explosions are generally associated with

Lava can be

Of the five rock-forming mineral groups-the silicates, carbonates, oxides, sulfides, and sulfates-which two form economically important ores?

Sedimentary rocks subjected to melting become

What are the processes that transform sediment into sedimentary rock?

Most of the batholithic-sized plutons found in the continents are composed of

Mauna Loa is a

The three sources that brought young Earth to its melting point were

Layers of limestone in a rock outcrop often indicate that the area had at some time been

The silica content of magma greatly affects its viscosity. Magma with a high silica content has a

Silica has a relatively

Color is not a reliable means for mineral identification because

The most common extrusive rocks are generated from

Minerals in volcanic rocks are usually smaller than minerals in plutonic rock. Why is this?

Minerals that have strong bonds between flat crystal surfaces tend to

The melting point of silicate minerals is strongly dependent on the amount of silica they contain. Generally speaking, which minerals are the first to melt?

Rocks break down to form sediment via