JEDEDIAH C.

ENRICUSO
GEOL111 – ASSIGNMENT

In the first video, “Origin of Igneous Rocks,” it provides an explanation of how igneous
rocks form through the processes of crystallization from magma and lava and
discussing the environmental factors that influence these processes. It also focuses on
the concepts of decompression and flux melting and how magma originates from the
mantle and crystallizes in a specific order as it cools that is based on the compositions
of the minerals. The significance of Bowen's Reaction Series is also highlighted in
explaining the sequence of mineral formation and the differentiation process that
leads to variations in igneous rock types observed at hotspots and subduction zones.

The video introduces rocks and minerals, emphasizing that their formation is
influenced by pressure, temperature, and chemistry of the starting material. It
categorizes rocks into three main types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, with
a focus on igneous rocks as the first to appear on Earth. Igneous rocks form from the
crystallization of melted rock that is known as magma when it is underground and
lava when above ground. It explains two primary processes for melting the mantle:
decompression melting, where pressure is decreased, and flux melting, influenced by
the addition of water. Decompression melting was mentioned, and it occurs when
the pressure on mantle rock decreases as it rises towards the surface, leading to
melting despite the temperature remaining constant. The importance of adiabatic
processes was also discussed, highlighting that the mantle’s ascent contributes to
conditions suitable for melting without losing heat. Flux melting on the other hand is
described as the process by which water from subducting oceanic lithosphere
induces melting in the overlying mantle, resulting in volcanic activity at subduction
zones.
The video also introduces Bowen's Reaction Series which outlines the
crystallization order of minerals from cooling magma starting with olivine and
progressing to more silica-rich minerals. It was said that as minerals crystallize and settle,
the remaining magma becomes enriched in silica and other elements, illustrating the
differentiation process. The differentiation of magma is linked to the thickness of the
crust it migrates through before eruption and explaining why different rock types are
found in various geological settings. A comparison is made between the basaltic lava
of Hawaii and the more explosive, viscous magma of Yellowstone that was attributed
to their respective crustal thicknesses.

I n the second video, “Characteristics of Sedimentary Rocks: Size, Provenance,

and Composition,” it explains sedimentary rocks emphasizing that they are not formed
through crystallization like igneous rocks but it consists of recycled minerals and
sediments. It simplifies how sediments are created, classified by size and origin, and
how their characteristics can reveal their deposition environment and provenance.
Different types of sediments such as terrigenous, biogenic, and chemogenic along
with the implications of climate on sediment deposition are also discussed. The video
also explains the economic importance of evaporite minerals and lithium extraction
from saline lakes.
The video begins from discussing igneous minerals to sedimentary rocks,
clarifying that sedimentary rocks don't result from crystallization but from the
accumulation and compaction of sediments. Sedimentary rocks are formed over
time as unconsolidated materials or sediments like sand and silt become compacted
and cemented together. Sediments can originate from various sources, including
ancient rocks that have eroded, marine organisms, and pre-existing sedimentary
materials. An important example of a sedimentary rock is coal, which is derived from
organic plant material. Geologists use the Udden-Wentworth grain size scale to
categorize sedimentary rocks based on particle size that identify four main categories:
clay, silt, sand, and gravel. The size of the sediment is crucial in determining the
environment of deposition; for instance, pebbles indicate a more turbulent
environment compared to fine mud. The origin of sediments, or their source area, is
linked to their composition which is terrigenous sediments come from land erosion,
while biogenic sediments primarily derive from marine organisms. It was mentioned
that the term “volcanogenic” describes sediments that are a result of volcanic activity
mainly comprising volcanic ash and glass particles.
Climate also plays a significant role in sediment deposition, particularly in arid
regions where high evaporation rates can lead to the accumulation of salts.
Chemogenic sediments precipitate from natural waters in saline lakes, with specific
minerals forming based on water chemistry. Saline lakes, such as Searles Lake, provide
valuable evaporite minerals including halite and borax, often mined for industrial use.
The video highlights the economic implications of extracting lithium from saline lakes
and noting the ecological concerns surrounding groundwater depletion in such
regions.

In the third and last video, “Origin of Metamorphic Rocks," it explains the
processes of metamorphism that transform igneous and sedimentary rocks into
metamorphic rocks through increased pressure and temperature with out melting. It
also explains other concepts such as the stability of minerals under various conditions,
the classification of metamorphism into grades based on intensity, and the
characteristics that define different types of metamorphic rocks.
In the introduction, it introduces the rock cycle and explains how minerals crystallize
from magma and eventually form sedimentary rock through processes like
sedimentation. It discusses how these rocks can be uplifted, weathered into sediments,
and ultimately deposited in a basin. It highlights the process through which
sedimentary rocks are formed, including compaction and cementation, setting the
stage for the discussion on metamorphism. Metamorphism was described as the
transformation of rocks caused by pressure, temperature, and chemically active fluids
while maintaining a solid state, distinguishing it from melting. It states that
metamorphism occurs when minerals exceed their stability range that would lead
them to break down and form a new and stable mineral with different physical and
chemical conditions. The concept of mineral stability is introduced and that each
mineral has a specific range of temperature and pressure over which it remains stable.
If these conditions change dramatically, the mineral may decompose into more
stable forms. The video illustrates this stability concept by explaining that minerals
formed in high-temperature igneous conditions can destabilize under surface
conditions rich in water and oxygen, often leading to chemical weathering.
It was mentioned that metamorphism is classified by its intensity that was
categorized as low grade, medium grade, or high grade, that was based on
temperature and pressure conditions beyond diagenesis. A mudstone example
illustrates the metamorphic process where increasing temperatures and pressures
cause platy minerals to align, leading to the development of foliation and defining its
classification as slate. It was stated that when examining a metamorphic rock, its
metamorphic grade can be determined by the amount of recrystallization and
foliation. In low-grade metamorphic rock, metamorphism occurs at temperatures that
generally range from around 200 to 300 degrees Celsius and very low pressures. These
conditions promote minor recrystallization and alignment of minerals without
significant transformation. Slate is the most well-known example of a low-grade
metamorphic rock. As conditions rise to 400 degrees Celsius and higher pressures, clay
minerals transform into sheet silicates like muscovite and chlorite and enhance
foliation and create a medium-grade rock known as phyllite. Once conditions exceed
600 degrees Celsius and around 8 kilobars of pressure, minerals like chlorite and
muscovite become unstable and react to form minerals such as potassium feldspar
and garnet. High-grade metamorphic rocks make a distinguished feature of foliation
due to the segregation of dark and light minerals during recrystallization that leads to
the formation of gneiss. This high-grade rock is characterized by its alternating bands
of light and dark minerals that established through the intense geological processes.