Uses of Rocks: 3 Benefits of Rocks in Our Lives - Class 9 - Geography Notes

Uses of Rocks and their Significance

Can you imagine a universe without rocks? Rocks are important because they are the building blocks of this universe. Now let us discuss some other uses of rocks that make them essential for every living being as well as to the materialistic human world.

Here are 3 uses of rocks in our lives

1. Formation of Soil
Rocks provide parent material for the soils. Soil is a complex mixture of minerals and organic matter and it supports the growth of all types of plants.

The bulk of soil comprises minerals that are derived from weathering of rocks. Black soils of the Deccan region are formed due to weathering of igneous rocks. So basically all agricultural production on the surface of the Earth depends indirectly upon the rocks.

2. Store house of minerals
Rocks contain a variety of minerals. We obtain all minerals from different rocks. A rock that has a large content of a particular mineral is called an ore of the mineral. Sedimentary rocks are especially rich in organic minerals such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum.

Metallic minerals like iron, copper, bauxite, lead, zinc, and gold are obtained from igneous or metamorphic rocks. Precious stones like diamond, ruby, and emerald are also obtained from igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Potash, nitrates, phosphates, etc. are widely used in the manufacturing of chemical fertilizers. Silica and clay are used in making glass and pottery. Iron ore, coal, manganese, etc. are used for the steel industry and bauxite is used for the aluminum Industry. Coal, Petroleum, and natural gas are important sources of power and energy.

3. Building material
A number of rocks are used as building materials for the construction of houses, roads, and dams. Some of the building stones such as marbles and granite have large demand and they are considered quite valuable. They are durable and provide an attractive finish to the buildings and houses. In the rural areas, people use common rocks such as sandstones, quartzites, and limestone to build their houses. From rock caves to modern houses, rocks have provided shelter to humans since time immemorial.

Read More: Types of Metamorphic Rocks: What are Metamorphic Rocks - Formation