# Genesis: origin of rocks

A thematic map of the Atlas of Switzerland, the national atlas published by ETH Zurich. The map is drawn in the browser; this file describes it and lists its variants and links, but not the data values shown on the map.

- Map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/genesis-origin-of-rocks/
- Short title: Origin of rocks
- Map id: 167
- Categories: Nature and Environment › Geology and raw materials › Geology and tectonics
- Keywords: Geology, Rocks
- Published: 2016-04-13
- Last revised: 2019-02-26
- Content language: English
- Other languages: [Deutsch](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/de/thema/gesteinsgenese-entstehung-der-gesteine.md), [Français](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/fr/theme/genese-origine-des-roches.md), [Italiano](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/it/tema/genesi-origine-delle-rocce.md)

## Description

In this representation, the rocks are subdivided in seven groups according their origin (genesis):

*Quaternary loose rocks*
Normally consolidated sediments from rivers and glaciers which principally date from the most recent periods of the Earth's history.

*Clastic sediments*
Rocks whose components result from the mechanical fragmentation of older rock units through the action of wind, water and temperature variations (erosion).

*Biogenic sediments and evaporites*
Products of biological or chemical deposits. Biogenic sediments are principally composed of shells and bits of skeletons from animals or plants. They mostly form in marine environments (seas, oceans).

Evaporites are chemical sediments which are formed from the precipitation of material during the evaporation of sea water. The most notable evaporites are salt and gypsum.

*Biogenic und clastic sediments*
Mixed series

*Magmatic rocks – plutonite*
Crystalline rocks which are formed by the solidification of magma in the Earth's crust (deep rocks).

*Magmatic rocks – volcanites*
Crystalline rocks which are formed by the solidification of magma on the Earth's surface.

*Metamorphic rocks*
Crystalline rocks which formed under the influence of pressure or temperature from sedimentary, metamorphic or other metamorphic rocks. In this recrystallisation process the mineralogical composition and original structure adapt to the new pressure and temperature conditions.

## Sources

- SGTK, Schweizerische Geotechnische Kommission (ed.) (1997): Die mineralischen Rohstoffe der Schweiz. Zürich: Schweizerische Geotechnische Kommission

## Data sources

- Schweizerische Geotechnische Kommission (1964–1967): Geotechnische Karte der Schweiz
- swisstopo, Landesgeologie (2010): [GeoKarten500, GeoCover](http://www.swisstopo.admin.ch/internet/swisstopo/de/home/swisstopo/org/geology.html)

## Data owners

- [Swiss Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo)](http://www.swisstopo.admin.ch/)

## Citation

The terms of use ask to name the Atlas of Switzerland and the data owners, and to keep the source references in exports, screenshots and embeds. Cite the map as:

> Atlas of Switzerland (2019): Genesis: origin of rocks. ETH Zürich. Map data © swisstopo. https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/genesis-origin-of-rocks/

## Links

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- Map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/genesis-origin-of-rocks/
- Short link, stays valid when the title changes: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/t/167/
- Side by side with another map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/comparison/?lt=167&rt={id of the other map}&ru={u of the other map, or leave out}

Embed in another website (allowed by the terms of use, as long as the source references stay visible):

```html
<iframe src="https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/embed/?id=167&dm=e&ig=1" style="border:0;width:100%;height:600px;max-width:100%;" loading="lazy" title="Thematic map 'Origin of rocks' in the Atlas of Switzerland" allowfullscreen sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups" allow="geolocation" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe>
```

In the embed URL, `dm` sets what is shown: `e` the map with its title bar (default), `p` also the values of an object clicked on the map, `m` only the map with a button that opens it in the atlas. `ig=1` (default) lets the map react to scrolling and dragging only after a click into it, `ig=0` right away. The size can be changed in `style`.

For the use and citation of maps and data, see the [terms of use](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/terms-of-use/).