Match each major rock classification to its primary formation process.
- Igneous rockForms when molten magma or lava cools and crystallizes
- Sedimentary rockForms when mineral particles and organic debris are compressed and cemented together
- Metamorphic rockForms when existing rocks are altered by intense subsurface heat and pressure without completely melting
Answer
Igneous rock matches cooling and crystallization of molten magma or lava; Sedimentary rock matches compression and cementation of mineral particles and debris; Metamorphic rock matches alteration by heat and pressure without complete melting.
The three major rock families are categorized strictly by their method of origin: igneous rocks solidify from molten material, sedimentary rocks consolidate from weathered and deposited debris, and metamorphic rocks transform from existing rocks under subsurface heat and pressure without melting.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Classification of Rock Types by Geological Origin
Estimated Time:45s