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  • Understanding Rock Composition: Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic
    You're asking about the composition of the three main rock types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Here's a breakdown:

    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.

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