Morgantown Rock Tour EarthCache

This EarthCache will take you on a journey through the three main families of rocks—sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic—using examples found in and around Morgantown, West Virginia. Each stop on this tour will help you observe and identify key features of these rock types while learning how they form and change over time.

Parking is easily available at the WVU Mountainlair. It is a paid lot Monday through Friday, 6 am to 6 pm. To complete this rock tour, you'll be visiting four spots around the Downtown campus to observe examples of each of the three rock families. The total walk (round trip) is approximately 0.7 miles, and includes some stairs and street crossings. Be mindful of the street traffic as you complete this rock tour!

During this tour, you'll be visiting Brooks Hall (home of the WVU Geology and Geography department), White Hall (home of the WVU Physics and Astronomy department), West Virginia Junior College, and the Flying WV Sign. While you don't need to enter any of these buildings, I highly recommend visiting Brooks Hall - the breezeway features many super cool rock specimens for you to view!
 

🪨 Sedimentary Rocks 🪨

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediments—particles of other rocks, minerals, or organic material. These sediments often settle in layers, and over time, pressure compacts them into solid rock. Morgantown and the surrounding area are rich in sandstone, a classic example of a sedimentary rock.

You can usually identify sedimentary rocks by their visible layers or strata, which often appear as horizontal bands. These rocks may contain fossils or fragments of other materials embedded within them, giving clues to their past environments. Many sedimentary rocks feel grainy or sandy to the touch, especially if they contain a high amount of quartz or similar minerals.

Other sedimentary rocks you might encounter include limestone, which forms in marine environments and often fizzes when in contact with weak acid due to its calcium carbonate content. Shale is another common type, fine-grained and often found breaking easily into thin sheets. Conglomerate, composed of rounded pebbles and gravel cemented together, is a clear sign of transport by water.

 

🔥 Igneous Rocks 🔥

Igneous rocks form from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. When magma cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface, it forms intrusive igneous rocks such as granite, which develop large, visible crystals. If magma erupts and cools quickly at the surface, it forms extrusive igneous rocks like basalt, which have much finer crystals or sometimes even a glassy texture.

One important distinction within igneous rocks is between felsic and mafic varieties. Felsic rocks, like granite, tend to be light-colored and rich in silica. They often contain minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and muscovite mica. In contrast, mafic rocks, such as gabbro, are darker, heavier, and contain more iron and magnesium. Common minerals in mafic rocks include pyroxene, olivine, and plagioclase feldspar.

Crystal size in igneous rocks is directly related to the rate of cooling. Slow cooling beneath the surface allows crystals to grow large, while fast cooling at or near the surface results in fine-grained or even glassy textures.

 

🔄 Metamorphic Rocks 🔄 

Metamorphic rocks are created when existing rocks undergo a transformation due to intense heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids—without melting. These processes change the rock's texture, mineral composition, and structure. Slate is a great example of a low-grade metamorphic rock that forms from shale. Over time and under pressure, the clay minerals in shale realign into tightly packed, parallel sheets, giving slate its characteristic smooth, flat cleavage.

Metamorphic rocks are often recognized by their foliation, which appears as a banded or layered texture caused by the alignment of minerals during metamorphism. Some also develop a shiny or glossy surface as a result of recrystallization. Compared to their parent rocks, metamorphic rocks are typically harder and denser.

Other examples of metamorphic rocks include schist, which has visible mineral grains and a glittery appearance, and gneiss, known for its distinct light and dark banding. Marble, formed from limestone, lacks foliation but can be identified by its interlocking crystals and reaction to acid.