Prelude
There are thousands of different types of known minerals, but only a few are really important in forming most rock types. This exercise introduces some of the important minerals that form most of the rocks we will encounter during the rest of the semester.
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Figure 4-1. Halite crystals abound in the brine pools of the playa at Searles Lake, California. Remember to click on highlighted images to see larger versions. |
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What Will You Do Today?
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Learn about a wide variety of rock-forming and economic minerals |
A. It's Elemental - Review the important mineral-forming elements and their symbols
B. Mineral Characteristics - An overview of the characteristics and physical properties that allow minerals to be described and identified
C. Common Rock-forming Minerals - Observe and identify some common minerals that compose most major rock types
D. Economic Minerals - A survey of some of the minerals that have major economic value