1.—Every rock originates either from the solidification of
molten material or of sediments, these constituting the Igneous and
Sedimentary Rocks respectively.
2.—These may undergo deformation due to movements of the earth’s
crust, such movements according to their intensity determining
the re-arrangement of the constituents with the development of new
structures, producing the Metamorphic Rocks.
3.—These varied rocks, when exposed at the earth’s surface, are
brought under the influence of the agents of transformation, such as
frost, contraction and expansion due to variations of temperature,
the mechanical action of rain, sand borne by wind, and running
water in the form of streams. In addition to these purely physical
activities are others of a chemical nature, either proceeding from
changes outside the terrestrial surface (carbonic acid dissolved in
rain, etc.), or from processes operating within the earth’s crust
(production of petroleum, coal, mineral veins, etc.).
4.—The chemical and physical activities deep within the earth’s
crust result in the formation of the plutonic rocks solidified from
molten solutions, intimately associated with them being the external
manifestations of the working of these hidden forces as revealed in
volcanoes and their associated phenomena.
5.—By the surface changes on the consolidated igneous and other
rocks, the materials are supplied for the formation of some of the
members of the sedimentary series, the sands and clays, while the
limestones in large measure owe their origin to the property possessed
by living animals of constructing shells from the carbonate of lime
brought in solution to the oceans, etc., these shells, after the death
of the animals, contributing to the formation of the calcareous rocks.