If you need a lot here.
There are basically endless ways that minerals can form; you might generalize that there are three, associated with igneous-, metamorphic-, and sedimentary-rock-forming settings.
In igneous settings, generally involving magma, minerals crystallize out as the magma cools. The types of minerals and their crystal textures depend on the stage of cooling, the rate of cooling, and the pressure (deep plutonic vs volcanic settings, for example). Water might be involved, especially in shallow crust such as ocean ridges, in which crystal growth rate is relatively high, or not so much.
Minerals also form in metamorphic settings, either under regional metamorphic conditions under directed stress, high-temperature contact metamorphism near igneous intrusions, or shallow hydrothermal situations where the pressure is low. Metamorphism occurs in the solid state because minerals will react to pressures and temperatures under which they are unstable by altering their form or chemical composition.
Minerals also precipitate out of water solution at low temperatures and pressures typical of near-surface conditions. They form cements between grains of clastic sedimentary rocks, as vein fillings, or as flowstone in caves. Minerals that form in sedimentary settings are dominated by silica, calcite, and clay minerals. views
In what three ways do minerals form?
There are basically endless ways that minerals can form; you might generalize that there are three, associated with igneous-, metamorphic-, and sedimentary-rock-forming settings.
In igneous settings, generally involving magma, minerals crystallize out as the magma cools. The types of minerals and their crystal textures depend on the stage of cooling, the rate of cooling, and the pressure (deep plutonic vs volcanic settings, for example). Water might be involved, especially in shallow crust such as ocean ridges, in which crystal growth rate is relatively high, or not so much.
Minerals also form in metamorphic settings, either under regional metamorphic conditions under directed stress, high-temperature contact metamorphism near igneous intrusions, or shallow hydrothermal situations where the pressure is low. Metamorphism occurs in the solid state because minerals will react to pressures and temperatures under which they are unstable by altering their form or chemical composition.
Minerals also precipitate out of water solution at low temperatures and pressures typical of near-surface conditions. They form cements between grains of clastic sedimentary rocks, as vein fillings, or as flowstone in caves. Minerals that form in sedimentary settings are dominated by silica, calcite, and clay minerals.
