Geology
... processes exchange energy and materials with the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere. Intrusive or plutonic igneous rocks are medium to coarse grained rocks that solidify within the Earth’s crust. Extrusive or volcanic igneous rocks are fine grained rocks that solidify from magma erupted onto the Earth’s surface. Granite and basalt are the two most common igneous rocks. Sediment forms from weathering of rocks and minerals. It includes all solid particles such as rock and mineral fragments. It is transported by streams, glaciers, wind, and gravity; deposited in layers and eventually lithified to form sedimentary rocks. Shale, sandstone, and limestone are the most common kinds of sedimentary rocks. When a rock is heated, when pressure increases, or when hot water alters its chemistry; both its minerals and its texture change in a process called metamorphism. Contact metamorphism affects rocks heated by a nearby ...