Sedimentary and metamorphic rocks section 6.1

GEL 130 QR- Reading Guide

Complete and use this guide as reference for Lecture Quiz 5

Weathering and soils (chapter 6)

· Sections 6.1- 6.4

1. Why does rock material change when exposed to surface conditions?

2. What is “wheathering”?

3. Discuss mechanical weathering:

a. What is ice wedging ? How much does water expand when it freezes?

b. Describe exfoliation , and the fracturing of rock due to pressure release.

4. Discuss chemical weathering: How does rain water become acidic?

5. How do mechanical and chemical weathering work together to disintegrate rock?

6. How do climate and temperature affect the rate of weathering?

· Soils: sections 6.5, 6.6 and 6.9

7. Discuss the formation of soils and soil horizons:

a. How does the parent rock affect soil characteristics?

b. Other factors that affect soil formation are:

8. Discuss soil modification (Section 6.9)

a. In tropical areas:

b. In arid regions: What circumstances led to the Dust Bowl of the 1930's?

Uncovering the DUST BOWL PBS

Sedimentary rocks (Chapter 7)

8. Why sedimentary rocks are important in the study of Earth history and what is their economic importance? (will ask in exam!)

9. Briefly outline the main steps that lead to the formation of sedimentary rocks (check sections 7.2 and 7.9)

10. (sections 7.3 and 7.4) In class we will identify two groups of sedimentary rocks: detrital and chemical sed rxs:watch video: Sedimentary rocks

a. What is the main criteria to differentiate Detrital sedimentary Rocks?

b. How do chemical sedimentary rocks form? What are evaporites ?

11. (section 7.8) Sedimentary structures: bedding, mud cracks, cross bed, dunes and ripples, how do they form and what do they reveal about past environments? (We will work more in class!)

12. Create a flow chart depicting the most important energy and mineral resources associated to Sedimentary Rocks.

Metamorphic rocks: Chapter 8, sections 8.1-3 and 8.5. (Section 8.4 will be discussed in class)

Watch video: Metamorphic rocks

1. What is Metamorphism? How do temperature, pressure and fluids cause metamorphism?

2. Parent rock: What was the rock before it was metamorphosed?

3. Describe the main changes that occur during metamorphism (mineral and texture changes)

4. Describe the textural differences exhibited by metamorphic rocks: foliated and non-foliated (this is very important for in class lab!).

5. Discuss the relationship between different types of metamorphism and plate tectonics