The igneous process begins when magma forms by melting at depth, followed by movement of the magma toward the surface and then solidification of the magma into solid rock. The different textures of igneous rocks reflect the environment in which the magma solidified. Magma can solidify at depth, erupt onto surface …show more content…
There are attributes of sedimentary rocks that indicate the environment in which they formed: color of rock, clast size, shape and sorting, types of bedding, fossils etc. These types of sedimentary rocks are important because they help us understand the geologic history of Earth, climate change and how life originated. As for metamorphic rocks, these are formed when sedimentary rocks are subject to change in temperature, pressure or both. Interesting to know, that sedimentary rocks will produce different kinds of metamorphic rocks, even if metamorphosed at the same grade. For example, shale when metamorphosed at low temperature can develop cleavage and become slate. Also, as we learned in class limestone consists mostly of calcite, which is a chemically reactive mineral, if metamorphosed in low grade it will cause calcite to form fine crystalline marble. In regards of plate tectonics, these are 14 slabs that make our planet and are constantly moving which play a