ICSE
Class – 7
Types of Rocks
Lithosphere
• Surface of the earth made up of solid rock and soil is
called lithosphere.
• Comprises of 7 continents & rocky ocean beds.
• Land - 29% of total surface area of earth.
Lithosphere
Continents
• Large land masses on the surface of the earth.
• Usually separated from each other by water bodies
called oceans.
• Edges of continents extend up to rocky ocean floors.
• Together the continents & ocean floor form
lithosphere.
Structure of the Earth
Earth divided into three main layers:
• Crust (outermost, thinnest layer)
• Mantle (lies below crust)
• Core (innermost layer)
Structure of the Earth
Crust
Two parts:
1. Upper layer - SIAL (silica + aluminium)
2. Lower layer - SIMA (silica + magnesium)
Structure of the Earth
Crust
• Thickness of crust varies from 8 to 50 Km.
• Thicker under continents & thinner under oceans
• Average density b/w 2.7 & 3.
• Composed of minerals and rocks
Structure of the Earth
Mantle
• Rich in iron and magnesium.
• About 2850 km wide.
• Average density b/w 3.5 & 5.5.
Structure of the Earth
Core
• Two parts – outer core and inner core
Outer core – liquid
Inner core – solid
• Starts at 2900 km depth from earth surface.
• Made of nickel & iron
• Density varies from 5.1 to 13.
Major Rock Types
Based on formation of rocks, there are three types:
• Igneous
• Sedimentary
• Metamorphic
Igneous Rocks
• Formed by cooling & solidification of molten rock
called magma (lies beneath earth’s crust).
• Crystalline and compact rocks
• Do not occur in layers or strata nor do they contain
fossils.
Types of Igneous rocks (based on origin):
1. Intrusive rocks (formed at same depth of earth’s
crust)
2. Extrusive rocks (form at or near the surface of the
earth)
Igneous Rocks
Intrusive/Plutonic Extrusive/Volcanic
Cooling takes place slowly. Cooling takes place
quickly.
Large crystals are formed. Small crystals are formed.
E.g. granite E.g. basalt
Igneous Rocks
Acidic Basic
Contain more than 65 % Contain low % of silica and
silica and very low % of high & of oxides.
oxides.
Less dense Dense
Light coloured Dark coloured
E.g. granite E.g. basalt
Sedimentary Rocks
• Formed from sediment accumulated over long
periods, usually under water on the floors of shallow
seas, rivers & lakes.
• Rocks are formed in layers/strata
• Contain fossils or remains of dead animals and plants.
• E.g. Conglomerate, sandstone, limestone, chalk,
calcite & dolomite
Sedimentary Rocks
Mechanically formed sedimentary rocks
• Formed by accumulation of materials derived from
other rocks which have been cemented together.
• E.g. conglomerate (rounded fragments), breccia
(angular fragments), sandstone (coarse), mudstone
(fine), & shale (smooth).
Sedimentary Rocks
Organically formed sedimentary rocks
• Formed by accumulation of remains of living
organisms.
• E.g. calcareous rocks such as limestone & chalk &
carbonaceous rocks such as coal.
Sedimentary Rocks
Chemically formed sedimentary rocks
• Commonly formed by the process of evaporation of
water containing salts in solution.
• E.g. rock salt, gypsum, potash, nitrates, calcite,
dolomite.
Metamorphic Rocks
• Rocks which are formed by metamorphism of pre-
existing rocks due to high temperature and pressure
or both.
• Igneous and sedimentary rocks completely change
over long period of time because of movements in the
earth’s crust & volcanic or mountain building activity.
• Nature, texture, colour of rocks undergo complete
change.
Metamorphic Rocks
Granite Gneiss
Igneous Rocks
Basalt Schist
Limestone Marble
Shale Slate
Sedimentary Rock
Sandstone Quartz
Coal Graphite Diamond
Think!
Why is diamond clear and hard while graphite is soft?
Why is coal hard and chunky?
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