The Rock Cycle
Travel along a
virtual & interactive
rock cycle and
learn about:
Igneous,
metamorphic and
sedimentary rocks
How geological
processes
change rocks
over time
®2014 Gina Riazi/Generation Science
Dear Teacher,
Need a rock cycle activity? This webquest makes a virtual study of the rock cycle easy for you and
instructive for your students as they explore the rock cycle in a structured way.
Build knowledge and/or review information on the three main types of rocks – igneous,
sedimentary and metamorphic – as well as how rocks are continuously broken down and created
through the rock cycle.
For most students the webquest works best as a follow up activity to an introductory lesson. It
also serves as a great review before a test. For advanced or older students this webquest can
serve as an introductory activity!
This webquest is specifically designed for students to explore a wonderful interactive website
called Interactive Rock Cycle. The web address is
http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
Grading this webquest is very flexible. For my class, I assign a certain number of points and base
the student’s grade on a combination of fully completing the assignment (turning in all required
parts) and correct answers or reasonable answers where applicable.
Please email me if you have any questions about this product at [email protected].
Thanks!!
®2014 Gina Riazi/Generation Science
Name _________________________
Date ____________
ROCK CYCLE WEBQUEST
Due Date ________
Type in or click on this link: http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
PLEASE BE CAREFUL TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS:
1. Click on the link that says “Types of Rocks” - found along the green band running
across the webpage – READ ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON THE WEBPAGE BEFORE
FILLING IN THE INFORMATION BELOW
At the bottom of the screen click on “Next: Start your rock collection”. Follow the directions for the
activity to determine whether each rock below is sedimentary, metamorphic or igneous – write the
rock type in the space provided.
Rock Name
Rock Type
Conglomerate
Limestone
Basalt
Gneiss
Obsidian
marble
2. Click on “Identify Rock Types” and complete the quiz. Record your score ________
3. Click on “Move on to the next chapter” (How Rocks Change). Click on Start to watch the
“Heat and Pressure” animation. What type of rock was formed in this animation?
____________________________________
4. Click on “Next” at the bottom of the screen. Read about “How Rocks Change”. Based on the
reading what is the meaning of the following words:
Extrusive igneous rock _____________________________________________________________________________
Intrusive igneous rock _____________________________________________________________________________
®2014 Gina Riazi/Generation Science
5. Watch the animations on melting and cooling. In the box, describe what you saw in one of
the animations:
6. Click on “Next”. Watch the animations on “Weathering & Erosion” and “Compacting &
Cementing”. Based on the animations, fill in the blanks:
Rocks are __________________ and washed away by __________________ and
__________________. Accumulated ______________________ is _____________________
together to form ____________________________________________.
7. Click on “Transform the Rock”. Record your score _____________
8. Click on “Move on to the next chapter” (The Rock Cycle Diagram). Roll your mouse over the
diagram to answer the following questions:
a. What 3 types of igneous rocks are listed?
_____________________________________________________________________________
b. Click on the “Weathering and Erosion” icon. Describe what is happening in the animation:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
9. Click on “Complete the Cycle” and do the activity. Record your score ______________
10. Click on “Move on to the final chapter” (Test Your Skills). Enter your name and follow
the directions. PRINT YOUR TEST AND TURN IN WITH THIS PACKET (note that the test may
open in another tab).
®2014 Gina Riazi/Generation Science