After tackling the Rock Cycle last week, this week we will focus on the details of the formation, composition, and texture of each of the three rock types:  Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

Today’s focus is on the same rock type that Mt. Rushmore is carved out of:  igneous rocks.  We completed the Igneous Rocks Guided Notes in class.  These are rocks that form from the cooling and solidification of liquefied rock:  magma or lava.  We first discussed the three important factors in analyzing the melting of a rock:  temperature, pressure, and composition.

The remainder of today’s guided notes covered the textures (coarse and fine-grained) and composition (felsic and mafic) of igneous rocks.  Tomorrow we’ll wrap up the igneous rock notes and tackle the igneous rock identification lab activity.

Homework:  None