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natural history page title
Identifying rocks, minerals and fossils
 Introduction
What is a rock?
What is a mineral?
What is a fossil?
Rock, mineral or 
    fossil?

Rock key
   
Sedimentary
        
    Igneous
       
Fine grained 
            key

       
Pumice
       
Obsidian
       
Basalt
       
Unknown fine 
            grained

       
Coarse 
           grained key

       
Granite
       
Unknown 
           coarse 
           grained


   
Metamorphic
   
Unknown
Mineral key
Fossil key
Helpful books

      

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Igneous rock key 

You have identified your specimen as an igneous rock. Igneous rocks are formed by hot molten rock (called magma) erupting at the earth's surface, on the ocean floor or deep inside the earth's crust. Use the key below to help you identify your igneous rock.

Is the rock fine grained i.e. you can't see separate crystals with your naked eye?


thumbnail image of the fine-grained igneous rock pumice linking to the fine grained igneous rock key

                                                                    

thumbnail image of the coarse-grained igneous rock granite linking to the coarse-grained igneous rock key


Yes


No