very day, rocks are subjected to wind, rain and other mechanical processes that cause them to breakdown into smaller pieces and different forms. This process of weathering is part of the rock cycle and causes sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks to break down into smaller sediments and soil-sized particles. You can learn a about rock weathering right in your own kitchen! Try this fun experiment to learn more about the mechanical weathering of rocks and post your results in the comments below.
Filed under: Geology Education, Geology Experiments & Activities, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on May 15th, 2021 | 1 Comment »
Fossils are the remains or impressions of once living organisms that you can find in sedimentary rocks. There are two basic types of fossils that geologists and paleontologists talk about. These are body fossils and trace fossils. Body fossils are a real body part of an animal such as a dinosaur bone or a shark tooth. A trace fossil is something that shows evidence that something was there such as tracks, burrows, trails, molds, casts, and impressions.
Filed under: Ask-a-Geologist Q&A, Mini Me Geology Videos, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on February 20th, 2014 | No Comments »
Hi everyone! Today I’m here to answer another fabulous question from one of our readers. Today’s question is about the sedimentary rock conglomerate. Matthew asks: What grains are in conglomerate rocks?
Filed under: Ask-a-Geologist Q&A, Mini Me Geology Videos, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on February 6th, 2014 | No Comments »
Limestone is a fine-grained sedimentary rock that forms when calcium carbonate precipitates in a quiet ocean environment such as deep, calm water. You cannot see individual grains with the naked eye in a fine-grained rock. Limestone is often white, pink, red, gray or black. Fossils are common in limestone because the calm ocean allows the calcium carbonate to precipitate around a dead plant or animal part without significantly disturbing the specimen. There are many varieties of limestone.
Filed under: Geology / Earth Science, Geology Education, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on October 23rd, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Quartzites are metamorphic rocks that were once quartz sandstones. The quartz sandstones change to quartzite from high heat and pressure deep inside the Earth. Sometimes quartzite rocks have the same, bedded look as the original sandstone, making the two hard to tell apart.
Filed under: Geology / Earth Science, Geology Education, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on October 21st, 2011 | No Comments »
Sandstone is one of the most popular rocks here at Mini Me Geology.
Filed under: Geology / Earth Science, Geology Education, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on October 19th, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Here is another great question we received through our Ask-a-Geologist email. Question: What grains are in conglomerate rocks?
Filed under: Ask-a-Geologist Q&A, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on December 3rd, 2009 | No Comments »
This has to be the most-asked question we receive here at Mini Me Geology. Question: What are the hollow ball-like objects, such as quartz, which are found in sedimentary rocks?
Filed under: Ask-a-Geologist Q&A, Minerals & Crystals, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on June 22nd, 2009 | No Comments »
Arkose is a beautiful sedimentary rock that is typically gray, pink or red. This coarse-grained rock forms when igneous rocks break apart and the pieces travel to a river, lake or ocean.
Filed under: Geology / Earth Science, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on June 11th, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Loess is formed from fine (small) grained, windblown sediment in glacier or desert areas. Loess is made of mostly silt but may also have some small amounts of sand and clay. The major mineral present is quartz with minor amounts of feldspar, calcite, dolomite, and clay.
Filed under: Geology / Earth Science, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on June 4th, 2009 | No Comments »