What Are Igneous Rocks?

Igneous rock has a dramatic beginning—it requires red-hot volcanic activity. This fact-filled book explains how granite, lava, basalt, silica, quartz and feldspar are formed after hot, molten rock cools. Readers will also learn about volcanoes and tectonic plates, the minerals that make up igneous rocks, and the crystallization of rock material.

©  2010 ISBN: 9780778772286
Written by Molly Aloian

What Are Metamorphic Rocks?

Heat, pressure and stress can also change some igneous or sedimentary rocks into other kinds of rocks. This fact-filled book describes the process that turns limestone into marble, shale into slate, and granite into gneiss. Metamorphic rocks are often used as materials for floors, roofs, and counter tops because of their beauty.

©  2010 ISBN: 9780778772293
Written by Molly Aloian

What Is the Rock Cycle?

What is the Rock Cycle describes the natural transformation of one type of rock into others. Beginning with igneous rocks made in volcanic eruptions, rock is weathered and eroded gradually to form a sediment. This sediment is then deposited and pressed into layers making sedimentary rocks. These in turn are transformed by heat and pressure into metamorphic rocks. Heat makes these melt into magma which, together with molten rock from the core of the Earth, make new igneous rocks.

©  2010 ISBN: 9780778772316
Written by Natalie Hyde

What Are Sedimentary Rocks?

It all starts with erosion for sedimentary rock. Worn down bits of rock become pressed together under pressure into strata, or layers. The formation of rock such as sandstone, shale, limestone, and dolomite is explained in this fact-filled book. Readers will also learn that this type of rock is useful in determining the Earth’s geological history because its layers often hold fossils and other geological clues.

©  2010 ISBN: 9780778772309
Written by Natalie Hyde

What Are Crystals?

Crystals are made up of minerals that have melted, cooled, and hardened into distinct shapes with regular repeating patterns. This informative book takes a look at the underground process that creates these fascinating geometric minerals, from sparkling quartz to ordinary salt, as well as where they are found and how they are mined.

©  2012 ISBN: 9780778772132
Written by Molly Aloian

How to be a Rock Collector

Rock collecting is a hobby that is easy to start. Even a small collection can display a lot of the geological processes that went into the making of our planet. This engaging book describes how to dig, where you can and can’t dig (restricted in national parks), the necessary equipment, how to identify rocks and gems, and the proper recording and storage of your collection.

©  2012 ISBN: 9780778772125
Written by Natalie Hyde

What Are Minerals?

Minerals are chemicals that are the building blocks of rocks. Metals, crystals, and gemstones are all minerals found in rocks. This interesting book describes how to identify minerals, where they can be found, the rock cycle process, the uses of minerals, and how they are mined.

©  2012 ISBN: 9780778772156
Written by Natalie Hyde

What Are Fossils?

Fossils provide a valuable look into our ancient past. By examining fossils and the rocks they are found in, scientists understand the effects that events such as mass extinctions, meteroite impacts, and climate change have on Earth’s history. This fascinating book explains how plants and animals become fossils, how they are extracted from excavation sites, and how paleontologists and geologists piece together Earth’s history by studying these ancient clues.

©  2012 ISBN: 9780778772149
Written by Natalie Hyde

Series developed and produced for Crabtree Publishing by SilverDot Publishing/BlueAppleWorks Inc. Marketing copy courtesy of Crabtree Publishing. Visit Site.