Minerals and Rocks

Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure, such as quartz or calcite. Rocks are solid aggregates composed of one or more minerals, forming the Earth's outer layer. There are three main types of rocks: igneous (formed from cooled magma or lava), sedimentary (created by sediments compacting over time), and metamorphic (altered by heat and pressure). Both minerals and rocks are essential to Earth's geology, providing the building blocks for landforms and serving as important resources for humans.