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An introduction to geology
An introduction to geology

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1.4 Identifying rock textures

Take a look at a hand specimen and a thin section of each of these rocks:

(open the links in a new window so you can come back to this page more easily)

When you've taken a good look at the rocks, complete the quiz below.

Activity _unit1.5.1 Activity 1.2 Rock specimen quiz

Timing: Allow about 10 minutes

a. 

Interlocking crystals


b. 

Rounded grains


c. 

Randomly oriented crystals/grains


d. 

Crystals/grains showing banding or alignment in one preferred direction


The correct answers are a and d.

a. 

Interlocking crystals


b. 

Rounded grains


c. 

Randomly oriented crystals/grains


d. 

Crystals/grains showing banding or alignment in one preferred direction


The correct answers are b and c.

a. 

Interlocking crystals


b. 

Rounded grains


c. 

Randomly oriented crystals/grains


d. 

Crystals/grains showing banding or alignment in one preferred direction


The correct answers are a and c.

a. 

sedimentary


b. 

metamorphic


c. 

igneous


The correct answer is b.

a. 

igneous


b. 

metamorphic


c. 

sedimentary


The correct answer is c.

a. 

sedimentary


b. 

igneous


c. 

metamorphic


The correct answer is b.