mineral

MINERAL AND ROCK HALL

Take a journey through the Rock Cycle and see how the elements combine to form some of the worlds most beautiful minerals. Compare the different Chemical Families that make up minerals. Compare igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in this small but attractive hall.

For more information on minerals and rocks, visit our Earth Science Curriculum.

CHEMICAL FAMILIES OF MINERALS

element	element + O₂	element + S₂	element + SO₄	element + CO₃	element + BO₃	element + SiO₂	element + Halogens
native	oxide	sulfide	sulfate	carbonate	borate	silicate	halide
graphite copper sulfur	hematite magnetite limonite	galena pyrite sphalerite chalcopyrite bornite	gypsum	calcite dolomite azurite malachite	borax ulexite	quartz feldspar mica kyanite chrysocolla talc olivine hornblende	fluorite halite

ROCK CYCLE

The Rock Cycle is a way to conceptually understand the creation and destruction of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks on and within the crust of the Earth. Rocks form in many environments.

Identification of rocks can be difficult for beginners. Many people try to match a rock sample with a picture. This rarely works, as the same type of rock can have a great variety of appearances. Geologists classify rocks using two basic features: mineral composition and texture (appearance).