How minerals are formed?

1 Answer
Jul 9, 2017

Minerals are formed under a variety of conditions, including when molten materials cool, when liquids evaporate or cool, and under high temperatures and pressures.

Explanation:

Minerals are found on the Earth's crust and mantle and many were created when feldspar and quartz reacted with other materials during the formation of the planet.

Minerals can from in several ways :

1) precipitation from aqueous solution like hot water flowing underground, from evaporation of a lake or inland sea or directly from sea water. Gypsum and table salt are minerals created after sea water evaporates due to warming by the sun. Such minerals are often found in dry arid places where evaporation is high.

2) precipitation from gaseous emanations which may occur in the vicinity of a volcanic eruption.

3) Metamorphism - formation of new minerals directly from the elements within existing minerals under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. Diamonds form after coal is superheated and putundervinrense pressure.

4) Weathering - during which minerals unstable at Earth's surface may be altered to other minerals.

5) organic formation - it is the formation of minerals within shells, teeth and bones by organisms.

Some minerals form when mixtures of hot molten rock cool. Most of the minerals that make up the rocks around us, formed through the cooling of molten rock, known as magma. As magma rises up through the crust, either by volcanic eruptions or by more gradual process, it cools and minerals crystallise.