Rock Cycles

What is the Rock

Cycle?

The rock cycle is a set of continuous processes that are constantly changing rocks from one kind to another.

Igneous Rock in the Rock Cycle

Igneous rocks form from the cooling of magma and lava. When other types of rock in the Rock Cycle get close to heat and melt, they can re-harden into

igneous rock. Igneous rocks can also go through weathering to become loose material, or sediment. Igneous rocks can also become metamorphic rock when put through heat and pressure

Metamorphic Rock in the Rock Cycle

Metamorphic rocks form when other types of rocks go through heat and pressure over time. Metamorphic rocks

can also go through weathering to become loose material, or sediment. Some metamorphic rock can go through heat and pressure again to form another kind of metamorphic rock (shale→slate→schist).

Sedimentary Rock in the Rock Cycle

Sedimentary rocks form as the processes of erosion, deposition, compaction, and cementation occur, or through chemical processes. Sedimentary rock can then go through heat and pressure to become metamorphic rock, or be broken back down into sediment

Processes between rocks

All rock types can go through weathering and erosion to break down material into loose sediment

● Sediment is eroded, deposited, compacted, and cemented together (also chemical processes)

● Heat and pressure turn all three rock types into metamorphic rocks

● Melting turns any rock into magma or lava

● Cooling and hardening of magma or lava produces igneous rock