Question

Describe the differences among primitive, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock, and relate these differences to their origins.

Answer 1

Rocks are the aggregate of minerals. There are three distinct categories of rocks, namely the sedimentary, metamorphic and the igneous rocks.

• The sedimentary rocks are formed from the deposition, compaction, and lithification of soft sediments that are transported from one place to another by the agents such as wind, water, and ice. For example, Sandstone and Shale.

• The metamorphic rocks are derived from the previously existing sedimentary, igneous or other metamorphic rocks, due to the influence of extremely high pressure as well as temperature conditions. For example, Quartzite and Marble.

• The igneous rocks are those rocks that are formed from the cooling and crystallization of magma. For example, Granite and Diorite.

All these three types of rocks are formed by different processes and their mode of origins are also different.