Earth Science - Group 3

  EDITORIAL ARTICLE  Preserve Our Geological Heritage: Rocks Are Our Roots 🖼️ [Image from Google] Preserving Our Geological Heritage: Why Rocks Should Be Seen as More Than Resources The Philippines is a country rich in geological wonders - from the wave-sculpted rock formations of Biri Island to the marble veins of Romblon, and mineral-rich igneous rocks in Benguet. Yet despite their beauty, history, and economic value, many of these geological treasures face threats from over-extraction, environment degradation, and lack of protection. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has highlighted that many mining and geological sites should be included in heritage mapping, asserting that these places are part of the nation's identity. In a 2024 article, NHCP Secretary-General Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares appealed to local governments in Benguet to formally document mining sites as heritage areas, emphasizing that mining is part of the region's history and develo...

  📍 Mankayan, Benguet | Journal of Asian Earth Sciences (2023) Written by: Adrian Fronda Deep in the Cordilleras, in the town of Mankayan, Benguet, lies a landscape shaped by fire, crust, and time. Beneath its green slopes and cloud-kissed ridges, a geological process has been at work — shaping what would become both natural heritage and human opportunity. A study published in 2023 by Dr. Kohei Naito and colleagues (Journal of Asian Earth Sciences) reveals that the Suyoc area of the Mankayan Mineral District has experienced multiple episodes of magma intrusion, each with different compositions and properties. Some magma intrusions were “barren”, meaning they carried relatively few economically valuable minerals; others were “fertile”, carrying copper and gold that later became part of the region’s mining history.  These magma bodies cooled slowly underground to form igneous rocks with significant crystal growth, then were uplifted through tectonic activity. Over millions of...

  “Whispers of the Stone” – A Poem Inspired by the Rock Cycle I was born in fire, my veins aglow, Then rain and river wore me slow. I sank in silence, layer on layer, Till pressure shaped me with quiet care. Time passed—mountains fell, seas rose again, I hardened with fossils and stories of men. The heat returned, I broke, I shone, Marble from limestone, reborn in stone. This poem is a meditation on the rock cycle, the natural cycle through which Earth’s materials are continually transformed. Starting with igneous rocks, born in molten fire; moving to sedimentary rocks, formed by deposition of sediments like sand, mud, shells, fossils; and finally transformed into metamorphic rocks by heat and pressure deep inside Earth. According to Britannica’s article on sedimentary environments, these environments — whether rivers, lakes, deltas, or oceans — are dynamic archives. They record climate changes, sea level fluctuations, and biological activity, layer by layer.  In this reflec...

  📍 Biri, Northern Samar | Philippine News Agency (2023) In the rugged coastlines of Biri Island, Northern Samar, geologists from the National Committee on Geological Sciences (NCGS) have confirmed the presence of volcanic rock formations that date back approximately 15 to 20 million years. These findings were reported in a March 27, 2025 article by the Philippine News Agency.  The formations, identified as part of the Allen Phonolite volcanic complex, were originally formed under the sea, then uplifted by tectonic forces. Volcanic activity in the adjacent Lavezares-Allen-Biri area left preserved lava flow structures. Researchers also discovered analcime-bearing sandstones and conglomerate layers, rare geological features that increase the site’s scientific value.  It isn’t just the age of the rocks that draws attention but the unique shapes carved over centuries by waves, wind, and weathering. There are seven major rock formations on Biri, named Magasang, Magsapad, Mac...

Rocks are more than just pieces of Earth beneath our feet—they are storytellers of our planet’s history. From volcanic eruptions to the slow layering of sediments, every rock reveals something about Earth’s processes. In this blog, let’s explore the  three main types of rocks — Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic —and see how they affect both ecosystems and human activities. 🪨 Igneous Rocks: Born from Fire Formation: From cooled magma or lava. Examples: Granite, Basalt, Pumice. Impact on Ecosystems & Humans: Volcanic eruptions that create igneous rocks also enrich soil with minerals, making land fertile. Basalt is widely used in construction (roads, buildings). 👉 Question for readers: Have you ever seen pumice stone floating in water? 🌊 Sedimentary Rocks: Layers of History Formation: From sediments compressed over millions of years. Examples: Sandstone, Limestone, Coal. Impact on Ecosystems & Humans: Limestone areas often form caves that support uniqu...