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An introduction to geology
An introduction to geology

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1.14 Summary of Week 1

You’ve reached the end of Week 1, and have looked at how rocks form: sedimentary rocks in a depositional environment; igneous rocks from molten rock; and metamorphic rock within the Earth’s crust where temperatures and pressures are higher than at the surface. You also looked at how you can identify these rock types based on their structure.

You watched a video where Anne and Marcus went into the field to find rock types used to construct buildings, and you may have tried to identify different types of rocks in your local area.

You then looked at the rock cycle, and how rocks can be formed and reformed many, many times. This could occur as an igneous rock is weathered and reforms as part of a sedimentary rock, which is eventually buried, where the heat and pressure cause it to undergo metamorphic processes.

Finally, you were briefly introduced to sea floor spreading and the theory of plate tectonics. Next week you will explore some of the geology in your pocket – the geology that goes into making a mobile phone.