Rock (geology)

In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of one or more minerals or mineraloids. For example, the common rock granite is a combination of the quartz, feldspar and biotite minerals. The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock.

Rocks have been used by mankind throughout history. From the Stone Age, rocks have been used for tools. The minerals and metals found in rocks have been essential to human civilization.

Three major groups of rocks are defined: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The scientific study of rocks is called petrology, which is an essential component of geology.

Classification

At a granular level, rocks are composed of grains of minerals, which, in turn, are homogeneous solids formed from a chemical compound that is arranged in an orderly manner. The aggregate minerals forming the rock are held together by chemical bonds. The types and abundance of minerals in a rock are determined by the manner in which the rock was formed. Many rocks contain silica (SiO2); a compound of silicon and oxygen that forms 74.3% of the Earth's crust. This material forms crystals with other compounds in the rock. The proportion of silica in rocks and minerals is a major factor in determining their name and properties.

Stone (disambiguation)

A stone is a small piece of rock.

Stone or stones may also refer to:

Materials and minerals

  • Gemstone, an attractive mineral used for adornments
  • Dimension stone, stone fabricated to specific sizes or shapes
  • Calculus (medicine), a stone formed in the body, such as kidney stones or gallstones
  • Stoneware, a ceramic ware
  • Peach stone, olive stone, etc.; the shell surrounding a seed in drupe fruits
  • Unit of measurement

  • Stone (unit), a measure of weight formerly used in various European countries and still commonly used in Great Britain and Ireland for measuring human body weight
  • Stone (Chinese weight)
  • Geography

    England

  • Stone, Buckinghamshire
  • Stone, Gloucestershire
  • Kent
  • Stone, Kent
  • Stone in Oxney
  • Stone, Sittingbourne, Kent
  • Stone, Staffordshire
  • Stone, Worcestershire
  • United States

  • Stone, California
  • Stone, Indiana
  • Stone, Kentucky
  • Stone, Wisconsin
  • People

  • Stone (surname), people with the surname Stone
  • Stones (surname), people with the surname Stones
  • Stones (surname)

    Stones is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:

  • Brandon Stones (born 1993), English ice hockey player
  • Craig Stones (born 1980), English footballer
  • David Stones (born 1988), American musician
  • Dwight Stones (born 1953), American high jumper and television commentator
  • John Stones (born 1994), English footballer
  • Margaret Stones (born 1920), Australian botanical illustrator
  • Tad Stones (born c. 1952), American animator, screenwriter, producer and director
  • See also

  • Stone (surname)
  • Podcasts:

    PLAYLIST TIME:

    Latest News for: part 7 four stones

    Nagpur violence: Locals recount attack on their houses and vehicles

    Hindustan Times 18 Mar 2025
    Those part of the mob threw stones at the homes and burnt cars, broke waters coolers installed at the houses and windows before fleeing, some residents said ... and threw stones and torched the vehicles.

    Rolling Stone's Future of Music Showcase at SXSW 2025: When, where and who's playing

    Austin American-Statesman 11 Mar 2025
    Rolling Stone's third-annual Future of Music Showcase is returning ... The Future of Music Showcase is a four-night concert series presented by Rolling Stone as part of this year's SXSW festival in Austin.
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