Geology 100
Introduction to Geology Telecourse
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Geology 100 |
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UNIT 7 |
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Chapters 10 and 11 are about igneous rocks and igneous processes. (Either chapter may be read first). Chapter 10 focuses on volcanoes and igneous activity that takes place at Earth's surface. Chapter 11 describes igneous processes that take place underground. However, you will learn early in this chapter how volcanic as well as intrusive rocks are classified based on their grain size and mineral content.
We begin the chapter with a diagram that introduces the rock cycle. This is a conceptual device that shows the interrelationship between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. More will be explained about the Rock Cycle in Chapter 11. We then begin focusing on igneous rocks. After the section on igneous rocks classification, we describe structural relationships between bodies of intrusive rock and other rocks in the earth's crust. This is followed by a discussion of how magmas form and are altered. We conclude by discussing various hypotheses that relate igneous activity to plate tectonic activity.
E-mail your instructor: John McNamara
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