46
Rain freezes in cracks
and expands to break
bits off the rock.
ALL THAT GLITTERS
If you dig a hole you’ll probably hit a stone, and rubbing
soil between your fingers will reveal a grainy texture.
Rocks and minerals have been transformed into
small pieces in soil over thousands of years.
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Rocks to pebbles
Rocks are crumbled and
dissolved by rain and ice.
This process is called
weathering. The particles
eventually become small
enough to form part of soil.
Panning for stones
Precious stones are heavier
than soil. They can be found
by panning, or washing the
soil off with water.
Solid treasure
Stones can be rocks
or minerals – the hard
substances that rocks are
made of. Rocks form in
different ways. Some cool
from lava spat out
by volcanoes!
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046-047_Rocks_And_Minerals.indd 46 31/10/2019 14:05