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This site provides information about some of the rocks and minerals that can be found in Maine. I am not an expert, but I will provide some basic information to help get you started on a fun adventure of rock and mineral collecting! Thanks for visiting my site! HAPPY HUNTING!
This site provides information about some of the rocks and minerals that can be found in Maine. I am not an expert, but I will provide some basic information to help get you started on a fun adventure of rock and mineral collecting! Thanks for visiting my site! HAPPY HUNTING!
What Are Rocks and Minerals?
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As you begin collecting your rocks, comparing your samples to pictures in books or on the web can give you a great start at identifying your rocks and minerals. As you explore your collection you will learn more and will begin to better understand how to identify your rocks and minerals easily.
To identify and organize samples you collect it will help to understand the differences of rocks and minerals. Rocks are considered the "building blocks of Earth" and are classified in three categories, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic (Jensen, 1960). Igneous rocks are fire formed rocks such as granite, basalt and pumice (Shuttlesworth, 1963). Fire formed is the term used to describe the extreme heat caused by rocks being pushed together by the Earth's massive pressure. Sedimentary rocks are formed when other rocks are broken into small fragments (pieces) and then get joined together (Jensen, 1960). These rocks can also be known as "made over rocks" and they can break easily. Examples are shale, sandstone and limestone (Shuttlesworth, 1963). Metamorphic rocks or "changed rocks" were formed along with the Earth's mountains. When the Earth's mountains were formed igneous and sedimentary rocks got squeezed and pressed together and became superheated. This process combined the igneous and sedimentary rocks and the heat changed the mineral composition (Jensen 1960)(Shuttlesworth, 1963). Some examples of metamorphic rocks are slate, marble, quartzite and granite (Shuttlesworth, 1963).
Minerals begin as sediment, small chunks of clay, mud and sand. Minerals are what rocks are made of (Jensen, 1960)(Gallant, 2001). Depending on the chemical makeup of the clay, mud and sand different types of crystals can form (Gallant, 2001). Rocks can contain many different types of minerals or rocks can be made up of the same type of mineral group together (Gallant, 2001).
As you collect your rocks and minerals it is helpful to organize them in a way that works best for you. Here are some suggestions to get you started… Minerals can be organized alphabetically; this will help you locate samples easily to study. Rocks are easier to organize by type since they are usually made up of many different kinds of minerals (Jensen, 1960). Categorizing your samples will also help as you add to your collection. By keeping groups of like samples together you can get a clear picture of what exactly is in your collection.
References
Jensen, D. E. (1960). My Hobby is Collecting Rocks and Minerals. Chicago, IL: Children's Press.
Shuttlesworth, D. E. (1963). The Doubleday first guide to rocks. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday.
Gallant, R. A. (2001). Minerals. Tarrytown, N.Y: Benchmarks Books.
To identify and organize samples you collect it will help to understand the differences of rocks and minerals. Rocks are considered the "building blocks of Earth" and are classified in three categories, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic (Jensen, 1960). Igneous rocks are fire formed rocks such as granite, basalt and pumice (Shuttlesworth, 1963). Fire formed is the term used to describe the extreme heat caused by rocks being pushed together by the Earth's massive pressure. Sedimentary rocks are formed when other rocks are broken into small fragments (pieces) and then get joined together (Jensen, 1960). These rocks can also be known as "made over rocks" and they can break easily. Examples are shale, sandstone and limestone (Shuttlesworth, 1963). Metamorphic rocks or "changed rocks" were formed along with the Earth's mountains. When the Earth's mountains were formed igneous and sedimentary rocks got squeezed and pressed together and became superheated. This process combined the igneous and sedimentary rocks and the heat changed the mineral composition (Jensen 1960)(Shuttlesworth, 1963). Some examples of metamorphic rocks are slate, marble, quartzite and granite (Shuttlesworth, 1963).
Minerals begin as sediment, small chunks of clay, mud and sand. Minerals are what rocks are made of (Jensen, 1960)(Gallant, 2001). Depending on the chemical makeup of the clay, mud and sand different types of crystals can form (Gallant, 2001). Rocks can contain many different types of minerals or rocks can be made up of the same type of mineral group together (Gallant, 2001).
As you collect your rocks and minerals it is helpful to organize them in a way that works best for you. Here are some suggestions to get you started… Minerals can be organized alphabetically; this will help you locate samples easily to study. Rocks are easier to organize by type since they are usually made up of many different kinds of minerals (Jensen, 1960). Categorizing your samples will also help as you add to your collection. By keeping groups of like samples together you can get a clear picture of what exactly is in your collection.
References
Jensen, D. E. (1960). My Hobby is Collecting Rocks and Minerals. Chicago, IL: Children's Press.
Shuttlesworth, D. E. (1963). The Doubleday first guide to rocks. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday.
Gallant, R. A. (2001). Minerals. Tarrytown, N.Y: Benchmarks Books.