Rocks and Minerals

The outer solid layer of the earth, called the lithosphere, is made of rock. The lithosphere is the solid outermost shell of a rocky planet. On the Earth, the lithosphere includes the crust and the uppermost layer of the mantle.

Basalt is formed from lava which cools slowly. Basalt originates from "hot spot" volcanoes, massive basalt flows and mid oceanic ridges.

Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock. It is the bedrock of the ocean floor and also occurs on land in extensive lava flow.

Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks are exposed to heat and pressure deep within the Earth's surface.

It is a common sedimentary rock.

Shale is used in making bricks, tiles, pottery, chemical ware, furnace linings and lightweight concrete aggregates.

The Moh's scale of mineral hardness characterises the scratch resistancy of various minerals through the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material.

Marble is a non-foliated metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals.

As a mineral, it can form very pretty and sometimes extremely large crystals.

Plaster of Paris is obtained by heating gypsum or calcium sulphate to about 140-180 degree Celsius.

Minerals tend to break along lines or smooth surfaces when hit sharply. Different minerals break in different ways showing different types of cleavage.

Metamorphic rocks are made by either heating up or squashing of the Earth's crust.

The application of directed pressure to a metamorphic rock results in the alignment of grains.

They are formed when sediment hardens into rock. Igneous magma at high temperature may penetrate into sedimentary rocks.

Diamond is made of only carbon.