Earth Science

Marble is a metamorphic rock formed by the recrystallization of sedimentary rocks, such as limestone or dolostone.  Metamorphic rock is created by the Earth’s internal forces, including temperature, pressure and plate tectonics. Marble is formed when it is chemically or…
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Geologists describe silicate rocks that form out of magma as igneous, from the Latin word for “fiery.” That’s a dramatic origin story in and of itself, but one such rock, peridotite—named after peridot, a semiprecious gem and the August birthstone—really…
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Marble an abundant type of stone that has many uses and applications in building, decoration and art. It is prized for its beauty and shine. In fact, the word “marble” comes from the Greek “marmaros”, meaning “shining stone”.  It has…
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Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock formed from sandstone and is primarily made up of quartz.  Non-foliated means that quartzite does not display the banding and layers of other kinds of metamorphic rocks like slate or schist. When cut, the…
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Phyllite is a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock. The name “phyllite” is derived from the Latin, meaning “leaf-stone”.  The name probably refers to its usual green color and its ability to be flaked into thin sheets.  Phyllite has a marked fissility,…
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The Greek word for fire aptly describes the source of rocks that come from molten magma and lava. Environmental conditions above ground, near the surface, and deep below ground dictate how much time is required for heat to dissipate from…
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The Painted Desert of Arizona is a crescent shape arc starting from a bit north of Cameron. It then curves southeast beyond the Petrified Forest, with the Puerco and Little Colorado rivers bounding it in the west and south edges….
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Apply around 58,000 atmospheres of pressure to pure carbon and then heat to about 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit and you will have a diamond. For millions of years microscopic plants and animals lived and died in the ancient oceans and after…
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Black shale may provide unfathomed mineral wealthIntroductionIt may appear paradoxical, and surprising that many professionals engaged in mineral development do not appreciate the great potential of Black Shale with respect to hosting very valuable mineral resources. In some cases, this…
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Most highest mountains are located in the Himalaya and Karakoram ranges, in the border regions of Pakistan, China, Nepal and India. In fact, all 7,000 m peaks in the world are located in Central Asia, in a rectangle edged by…
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