The Rock Cycle


Rocks of Racetrack Playa
Mystery explained
Rocks can continuously change from
one type to another in a process
called the rock cycle.
 Any of the 3 types
of rock can change
into another type
of rock under the
right conditions.

Igneous Rock

Rock formed when magma harden
 Intrusive: cools slowly below the
surface;
example: granite
 Extrusive: cools rapidly on the surface
Sedimentary Rock

Form from sediments
1. Weathered
2. Eroded and transported
3. Deposited
4. Burial
5. Compaction and cementation
Sedimentary Rock Formation
 Clastic:
loose sediment lithified
 Chemical: form from evaporation
 Organic: form from once-living
organisms
Metamorphic Rock
 High
temperature and pressure
combine to alter rock without
melting
Magma can crystallize to form igneous
rock. The igneous rock can crystallize
on the surface forming extrusive igneous
rock or under the surface forming
intrusive igneous rock.
 When igneous rock is exposed to the
conditions on the surface, heat,
precipitation, freezing, and changes in
pressure due to overlying rock it breaks
down and can be eroded forming
sediments

 Sedimentary
rock can be exposed to
the surface and become weathered
and eroded forming sedimentary
rock again or it may be exposed to
heat and pressure and be
transformed into metamorphic rock
or it may become molten then
crystallize to form igneous rock
 Metamorphic
rock can be
exposed to the surface, be
weathered and eroded to become
sedimentary rock or it may be
exposed to heat, melt and
become igneous rock.
The Rock Cycle

The-Rock-Cycle
Vocabulary
 Magma
 Pressure
 Lava
 Deposition
 Compaction
 Transportation
 Sediment
 Weathering
 Cementation
 Metamorphism
 Solidification
 Lithification
 Crystallization
 burial