Year 8 - The Rock Cycle, rocks in Science

Crust

Outermost layer of the Earth.

Mantle

Layer beneath the crust; contains the asthenosphere.

Asthenosphere

Part of the mantle where rocks move slowly.

Core

Dense inner part of the Earth, mainly iron and nickel.

Inner Core

Solid part of the Earth's core.

Outer Core

Liquid part of the Earth's core.

Minerals

Naturally occurring, inorganic solids with specific compositions.

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks changed by heat and pressure.

Igneous Rocks

Formed from cooled molten rock.

Sedimentary Rocks

Formed from compacted sediments.

Rock Cycle

Model showing endless cycling of rock materials.

Weathering

Process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces.

Erosion

Transport of weathered rock material.

Deposition

Settling down of sediments.

Compaction Cementation

Process of squeezing and gluing sediments into rock.

Extrusive Igneous Rocks

Formed from lava cooling quickly at the surface.

Intrusive Igneous Rocks

Formed from magma cooling slowly below the surface.

Contact Metamorphism

Metamorphism due to intense heat from magma or lava.

Regional Metamorphism

Metamorphism caused by intense pressure from tectonic plates.

Sediments

Material broken down by weathering and erosion.

Conglomerate

Rock formed from cemented grains of different sizes.

4 Steps of Sedimentary Rock Formation

Process involving layering, compaction, chemical seepage, and crystallization.

Shearing

Sliding movement of rock parts during metamorphism.