Rocks and Minerals

Cast

A fossil formed when dissolved minerals fill a mold and harden. Cast. A cast is a replica of the shape of an organism created by minerals.

Fossil

The preserved traces and remains of an organism that lived long ago. Fossil. Fossils are the remains or impressions of ancient living things preserved in rock.

Igneous rock

A rock formed when melted rock cools and hardens. Igneous rock. In simple terms, igneous rock is created when hot, liquid rock from inside the Earth cools down and becomes solid.

Luster

The way a mineral's surface reflects light. Luster. Luster is how shiny or dull a mineral appears when light reflects off its surface.

Metamorphic rock

The rock that forms when existing rock is changed by heat, pressure, or chemicals. Metamorphic rock is rock that has been transformed from another type of rock due to heat and pressure.

Mineral

A natural inorganic solid with definite chemical composition and structure. Mineral. Minerals are the building blocks of rocks and are made up of specific combinations of elements.

Mold

A rock fossil created when a buried organism dissolves is called a mold. Mold is a type of fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments.

Rock

A natural solid made of a mixture of minerals. Rock. Rock is a solid material composed of minerals that forms the Earth's crust.

Rock cycle

A process that changes a rock from one form to another rock cycle. The rock cycle is the ongoing transformation of rocks through stages like melting, cooling, eroding, and compacting.

Sedimentary rock

A rock that forms when sediment is pressed and cemented together. Sedimentary rock is a type of rock made from small particles or fragments that have hardened over time.