THE ROCK CYCLE
- The rock cycle is a model that shows how the three basic types of rock are formed, the process in which they are formed, and how they are related.
- The process of the rock cycle is:
1) When magma reaches the surface and becomes lava, it cools and becomes solid in a process call crystallization. Then igneous rock forms.
2) Weathering and erosion breaks down the igneous rock, transports it and deposits it as sediment.
3) The sediment is then compacted and cemented to form a sedimentary rock. This process is called lithification.
4) The sedimentary rock is then buried deep under the crust by the Earth's plates and other geologic forces.
5) Intense heat and pressure cause it to become metamorphic rock.
6) The rock is then pushed deeper and deeper into the Earth.
7) Then it melts and becomes magma.
8) This makes the cycle begin again.
SIDE NOTES
- Igneous rock can also become metamorphic rock with intense heat and pressure.
- Metamorphic rock and sedimentary rock can also be weathered into sediment.
- The rock cycle is the process of one type of rock changing into another type of rock.
- Each of the different types of rock can be changed by cooling, melting, heat/pressure, weathering/erosion, and compacting/cementing.
- Two other substances can also enter the rock cycle and become rocks which is sediment and magma.
- The process of the rock cycle is:
1) When magma reaches the surface and becomes lava, it cools and becomes solid in a process call crystallization. Then igneous rock forms.
2) Weathering and erosion breaks down the igneous rock, transports it and deposits it as sediment.
3) The sediment is then compacted and cemented to form a sedimentary rock. This process is called lithification.
4) The sedimentary rock is then buried deep under the crust by the Earth's plates and other geologic forces.
5) Intense heat and pressure cause it to become metamorphic rock.
6) The rock is then pushed deeper and deeper into the Earth.
7) Then it melts and becomes magma.
8) This makes the cycle begin again.
SIDE NOTES
- Igneous rock can also become metamorphic rock with intense heat and pressure.
- Metamorphic rock and sedimentary rock can also be weathered into sediment.
- The rock cycle is the process of one type of rock changing into another type of rock.
- Each of the different types of rock can be changed by cooling, melting, heat/pressure, weathering/erosion, and compacting/cementing.
- Two other substances can also enter the rock cycle and become rocks which is sediment and magma.