Igneous Rocks
* Made of: Minerals that crystallize from molten rock (magma or lava).
* Examples: Granite, basalt, obsidian
Sedimentary Rocks
* Made of: Weathered and eroded fragments of existing rocks (sediments), minerals, and organic matter. These fragments are cemented together over time.
* Examples: Sandstone, limestone, shale
Metamorphic Rocks
* Made of: Existing igneous, sedimentary, or even other metamorphic rocks that have been transformed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.
* Examples: Marble, slate, gneiss
In Summary
All three rock types are fundamentally composed of minerals. The key difference lies in how they form:
* Igneous: Crystallization from molten rock.
* Sedimentary: Cementation of weathered fragments.
* Metamorphic: Transformation of existing rocks by heat, pressure, or chemical processes.