When oxygen combines with iron bearing rock materials, it is called rusting. Oxidation processes cause iron oxides to turn reds, oranges and browns, much like that of the rust on nails, etc, as the chemical reaction that is taking place is very much the same. Basalt rocks weather by oxidation to an orange colour. Some iron oxides that are produced are: limonite, hematite, and goethite.
It is interesting to learn that there are many types of iron oxides which are found in nature. It is also neat to see an example of rusting and to be able to relate it to the chemical reaction process learned in chemistry.
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