Types of Soft Rocks

Soft Rocks List

Soft rocks have low hardness on the Mohs scale and are easily scratched. They include sedimentary rocks like Chalk and Coal, as well as some igneous and metamorphic varieties. Soft rocks are often used in agriculture and industry.

Dacite

Class: Igneous Rocks

Texture: Aphanitic to Porphyritic

Appearance: Vesicular

Carbonatite

Class: Igneous Rocks

Texture: Granular, Poikiloblastic

Appearance: Dull, Banded and Foliated

Anthracite

Class: Metamorphic Rocks

Texture: Amorphous, Glassy

Appearance: Veined or Pebbled

Phyllite

Class: Metamorphic Rocks

Texture: Phyllitic Sheen, Slaty

Appearance: Crinkled or Wavy

Coal

Class: Sedimentary Rocks

Texture: Amorphous, Glassy

Appearance: Veined or Pebbled

Conglomerate

Class: Sedimentary Rocks

Texture: Clastic

Appearance: Shiny and Rounded

Chalk

Class: Sedimentary Rocks

Texture: Clastic or Non-Clastic

Appearance: Soft

Mudstone

Class: Sedimentary Rocks

Texture: Clastic

Appearance: Rough and Dull

Shale

Class: Sedimentary Rocks

Texture: Splintery

Appearance: Muddy

Marl

Class: Sedimentary Rocks

Texture: Earthy

Appearance: Rough and Dull

Other Notable Soft Rocks

Diatomite, Oil shale, Laterite, Lignite.

Compare with Hard Rocks and Medium Hardness Rocks.