Rock Cycle

What is a rock cycle

It is a series of processes that create and transform the types of rocks in Earth’s crust.

What are the 4 Rock Cycle Processes

1. Weathering

2. Erosion

3. Compaction

4. Cementation

What is weathering

It is the process of breaking down rocks physically or chemically.

What are the two types of weathering

1. Physical weathering

2. Chemical weathering

What is physical weathering

It is processes that allow the breakdown of rocks into smaller unit.

What is chemical weathering

It is the processes that result in the decay of minerals present in the rock.

What does erosion involve

It involves the movement of rock fragments through gravity, wind, rain, rivers, oceans and glaciers.

What is compaction as a process

Sediments that are deeply buried are placed under extreme pressure because of the weight of overlaying layers of rocks.

What is cementation

It is where new minerals stick the grains together.

How does understanding rocks enables scientists to

1. Locate mineral resources

2. Find fossil fuels

3. Learn about Earth processes such as plate tectonics

4. Assess the risk from natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions and tsunami

5. Discover the history and origins of other planets.

Rocks vs. Minerals

1. Rocks are a mixture of minerals, while Minerals are units of rocks

2. Rocks doesn’t have no chemical formula, while Minerals have a definite chemical formula

3. Rocks have no physical or chemical properties, while Minerals have

4. Rocks are studied in petrology, while Minerals is studied in mineralogy

5. Rocks are both formed organically and inorganically, while Minerals are formed mainly inorganically

6. Rocks doesn’t break easily, while Minerals does break easily

7. Rocks are divided into 3 main groups: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, while Minerals only has two forms: Primary and Secondary minerals.