Campus Feature Hornfels Part of the EASP Geology Walk Hornfels is a metamorphic rock formed by a special type of metamorphism called contact metamorphism. This means that a rock (clay rich in this case) comes into contact with an igneous intrusion so the rock heats up but no pressure is exerted. Because of this, hornfels is nonfoliated; there is no pressure to force the minerals into layers. Hornfels can vary widely in both appearance and mineral composition, which…
Campus Feature Hovde Hall – Limestone Pillars and Granite Steps Part of the EASP Geology Walk Limestone is a popular material to use in the construction of buildings. Its weight prevents it from being used in construction of extremely tall buildings, but it is easy to cut into blocks and will stand up well to exposure. Indiana is the source of most of North America’s limestone. Granite is also a popular construction material, but it is used mainly in items such as flooring tiles, kitchen…
Campus Feature Lambert Fieldhouse – Fossiliferous Limestone Part of the EASP Geology Walk Limestone is a sedimentary rock which can form in one of two ways: by being chemically precipitated from water or by the build-up of the hard parts of marine organisms. Fossiliferous limestone is of the second category. Certain marine organisms, such as coral, remove calcium carbonate from their watery environment to make the hard parts of their bodies. When the marine organisms die, these hard parts collect on the…
Campus Feature Metaconglomerate Part of the EASP Geology Walk Metaconglomerates are conglomerates that have experienced some metamorphism. Conglomerates are detrital sedimentary rocks, meaning they were formed from the weathered remains of other rocks. Conglomerates are mainly composed of rounded gravel-sized particles held together with certain minerals, usually clay minerals or quartz. The intense heat and pressure of metamorphism might slightly deform the gravel within the metaconglomerate. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
