Three Major Types of Rocks

Igneous

Igneous rocks are either formed from magma (molten rock) that has solidified underground, creating intrusive rocks such as granite, or has flowed onto the lands or seabed, forming extrusive rocks such as basalt.

Basalt

Granite

Sedimentary

Most sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, are made of deposits laid down on the Earth’s surface by wind, water, or ice.

Travertine Limestone

Limestone

Onyx

Slate

Sandstone

Metamorphic

Metamorphic rocks are formed when the mineralogical composition of existing rocks is altered. Quartzite, for example, is metamorphosed sandstone

Quartzite

Marble

Gneiss