On Vancouver beaches, there are many different kinds of rocks.
Granite (an igneous rock made up of different minerals) is often in the form granodiorite (black granite), which is speckled black, white, and grey/pink. Other common Vancouver beach rocks: smooth black rocks are likely to be basalt (igneous rock, cooled lava), and flat rough light brown rocks are likely to be sandstone (sedimentary rock made up of different minerals). Smaller pieces of quartz (a mineral) may also be found - clear or yellowish and more shiny.
Look at and touch the different kinds of rocks and discuss how they are formed.
Use during lesson plans on rock cycle, mineral tests etc.
My collection:
extrusive igneous - basalt (from Vancouver beaches), obsidian and cinders (from Oregon lava lands)
intrusive igneous - granite, pink and grey (from Vancouver beaches)
metamorphic - marble (offcuts from stone countertop store)
sedimentary - sandstone and mudstone (from Vancouver beaches)
Note: it is very hard, just by looking at a rock, and unless one is more expert, to determine whether a rock is sedimentary, metamorphic or igneous.
