Goal
This lesson identifies some common rocks and minerals and how they influence soil formation.
After completing this lesson you should be able to identify some common rocks and minerals.
Objectives
1. Learn to classify rocks according to the major rock types. igneous metamorphic sedimentary
2. Learn about the influence of rock type on soil properties.
Most soil parent materials were rocks at some time in their history. The minerals in rocks contribute to soil fertility and other soil properties long after the original rock is gone. Consequently, it is a valuable skill to be able to identify a few broad categories of rock. Geologists classify rocks into igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, according to their origins. In this lesson you will learn how to identify these major rock types and about some common rock-forming minerals.
Modules: Lesson home 1.1 - Rocks, Minerals, and Soils -- Introduction 1.2 - Minerals and Rocks 1.3 - Igneous Rocks 1.4 - Sedimentary Rocks 1.5 - Metamorphic Rocks 1.6 - Rock Identification Exercise Glossar
