Geology Marina Hendrickson

Professor Mark Lawler

West Hills College

December 4th, 2011

Part I - Rocks

Igneous Rock

is formed when a magma cools underground and crystallizes or when it erupts unto the surface of the ground, cools and crystallizes.

Sedimentary Rock

forms from particles, called sediment, that are worn off other rocks.

Metamorphic Rock

is formed by great heat, or pressure, or both.

Location I – Avila Beach, CA

Avila Beach is located in the

central coast of California.

The weather is usually

warmer than other beaches in

the area due to its location

protected from the

northwestern winds.

© Avila Beach, CA

Sedimentary Rock Observations

1. The rock is mad of crystal grains with flat, shiny surfaces

2. No layers

3. Light colored

4. Does not scratch glass Hypothesis

Dolostone? Sedimentary limestone/sandstone?

Research

Most limestone is formed by a chemical reaction in sea water.

Conclusion

Limestone, specifically chalk.

© Avila Beach, CA

Igneous Rock Observations

1. The rock is mad of crystal grains with flat, shiny surfaces

2. Medium grey to very dark

3. No layers

4. Can see crystal grains without magnifier – but small

Hypothesis

Basalt? Gabbro? Diorite? Research

Diabase forms from a magma that is rich in iron and magnesium, and poor in silica . The magma is forced into cracks or between layers of rock near the earth's surface.

Conclusion

Diabase

© Avila Beach, CA

Sedimentary Rock Observations

1. No crystal grains

2. The rock has layers

3. No grains of sand

4. Thicker layers Hypothesis

Schist? Shale? Research

Clay sediments settle in quiet lakes, lagoons, bays, or off-shore areas. When buried and compacted the clays become shale.

Conclusion

Shale

© Avila Beach, CA

Location II – Hanford, CA

Nowhere else but my

backyard. The location

proves the widespread of the

specimen.

© Hanford, CA

Igneous Rock Observations

1. The rock is mad of crystal grains with flat, shiny surfaces

2. No layers

3. Light color

4. Medium or coarse grained Hypothesis

Granite? Gneiss? Research

Granite forms deep in the earth's crust from cooling magma. The magma contains a lot of silica.

Conclusion

Granite

© Hanford, CA

Location III – Malansac, France

Malansac is a little town in the

country, close to the west

coast of France. This town

was once highly known for its

slate mines. (My parents’

town)

© Malansac, France

Metamorphic Rock Observations

1. No shiny surfaces

2. The rock has thin flat layers

3. No grain of sand

4. Seem to have only one mineral Hypothesis

Slate? Research

Slate is usually formed from clay sediments or shale that has been heated and put under pressure by plate collisions.

Conclusion

Slate

© Malansac, France

Part II

A. Fault B. Weathering Process C. Mass Wasting & Erosional Events D. Sedimentary Environments E. Practical Use of Geology

A. San Andreas Fault

Most famous fault in the World.

The San Andreas Fault is a right lateral

transform fault.

This fault is a place where two

tectonic plates are touching, the North

American plate and the Pacific plate.

It is about 800 miles long.

© Point Reyes, CA

B. Weathering Process

1. Chemical Weathering

Change the composition of

rocks

The water interaction creates

chemical reactions,

transforming the rocks.

© Yosemite Park, CA

2. Mechanical Weathering

Unloading happened when the

overlying rock is eroded away.

Eventually, continuous

weathering causes slabs to

separate.

© Yosemite Park, CA

C. Mass Wasting & Erosional Events

© Avila Beach, CA

© Yosemite Park, CA

D. Sedimentary Environments

1. Continental Sedimentary

Environment

Streams and Falls are

moving and depositing

sediments.

© Kings River, CA

© Yosemite Park, CA

2. Transitional Sedimentary

Environment

Sea shores are a

transition between

continental and marine

environments

Sediments are wached

away in the ocean.

© Avila Beach, CA

3. Marine Sedimentary

Environment

Sediments come from

land and sea life.

© Avila Beach, CA

E. Practical Use of Geology

© Fresno County, CA

The California Aqueduct provides water to South California.

Work cited

Lynch, D. k. (2010). Retrieved October 21, 2011, from San Andreas Fault

Information: http://www.sanandreasfault.org/Information.html

Peck, D. B. (2001). The Rock Identification Key. Retrieved November 3,

2011, from http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/rockkey/

Tarbuck, E. J., & Lutgens, F. K. (2008). Earth. Upper Saddle River, NY:

Pearson Education, Inc.