THE ROCK

CYCLE
IT WILL ROCK YOU!

WHAT IS THE ROCK

CYCLE
To show how rocks slowly change through time,
scientists have created a model called the rock
cycle.
It illustrates the processes that create and
change rocks.
The rock cycle shows the three types of rock
igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentaryand
the processes that form them.

The rock cycle is a series of processes that slowly change

rocks from one kind to another. There are many ways rocks go
through the rock cycle.
Here is one way rocks go through the rock cycle:
Igneous rock on the surface is turned into sediment by erosion.
The sediment is deposited and slowly becomes sedimentary
rock.
The sedimentary rock is buried by more sediment. Heat and
pressure slowly change the sedimentary rock into metamorphic
rock.
The metamorphic rock is forced into the mantle. The
metamorphic rock melts to form magma. The magma erupts
and cools to form igneous rock again.

Rock Cycle

explains
how Rocks and Natural Processes
are related
The

Sedimentary

weathering

Metamorphic

Igneous

Earths rocks are not as unchanging

as they seem. Forces deep inside
Earth and at the surface produce a
slow cycle that builds, destroys,
and changes the rocks in the
crust.
The rock cycle is a series of
processes on Earths surface and in
the crust and mantle that slowly
change rocks from one kind to
another.

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In the rock cycle, water and weather wear

away rock by the process of erosion.
In the rock cycle, sediments are pressed
together and to form sedimentary rock.
In the rock cycle, the heat of Earths interior
can melt rock. This molten material can form
new rock.

ROCK CYCLE AND PLATE TECTONICS

THE CHANGES OF THE ROCK CYCLE
ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO PLATE
TECTONICS. PLATE MOVEMENTS
START THE ROCK CYCLE BY HELPING
TO FORM MAGMA, THE SOURCE OF
IGNEOUS ROCKS. PLATE MOVEMENTS
ALSO CAUSE FAULTING, FOLDING AND
OTHER MOTIONS OF THE CRUST THAT
HELP TO FORM SEDIMENTARY AND
METAMORPHIC ROCKS.

WHAT IS THE LAW OF

CONSERVATION OF MATTER?
Law of conservation of matter states that
matter cannot be created or destroyed.
The changes that take place in the rock cycle never destroy or
create matter.
The elements are just redistributed in other forms.