The Rock Cycle

How Rocks Change

Introduction
All rocks change slowly from one type to
another, again and again. The changes form a
cycle, called "the rock cycle."

The way rocks change depends on various

processes that are always taking place on and
under the earth's surface. Now let's take a
closer look at each of these processes.

Heat & Pressure

Heat
Deep below the earth's surface, temperatures are hot enough
to melt most rocks. However, before the melting point is
reached, a rock can undergo many changes while in a solid
state changing from one type to another without melting.
Pressure
An additional factor that can transform rocks is the pressure
caused by tons of other rocks pressing down on it from above.
Heat and pressure usually work together to alter the rocks
under the earth's surface. This kind of change is called
metamorphism which results in a metamorphic rock.
Click here to see the heat and pressure video:
http://screencast.com/t/PCA0IxoNjtB

Melting & Cooling

Melting

The high temperatures required to melt a rock are generally found only deep within the
earth. It takes temperatures between 600 and 1,300 degrees Celsius (1,100 and 2,400
degrees Fahrenheit) to melt a rock, turning it into a substance called magma (molten
rock).
Cooling

Liquid magma also turns into a solid a rock when it is cooled. Any rock that forms
from the cooling of magma is an igneous rock. Magma that cools quickly forms one kind
of igneous rock, and magma that cools slowly forms another kind.
Extrusive Igneous
When magma rises from deep within the earth and explodes out of a volcano, it is
called lava, and it cools quickly on the surface. Rock formed in this way is called
extrusive igneous rock. It is extruded, or pushed, out of the earth's interior and cools
outside of or very near the earth's surface.
Intrusive Igneous
Magma that gets pushed up toward the earths surface cools at a much slower rate
than lava. The kind of rock formed in this way is called intrusive igneous rock. It
intrudes, or pushes, into the earth's interior and cools beneath the surface.
Click here to see the melting and cooling video:
http://screencast.com/t/HE4w6byZdpU

Weathering &
Compacting
Weathering
Weathering, such as rain or wind, cause rocks to get
eroded or broken down into smaller pieces. These
small pieces of rock form the sediment that creates
sedimentary rock.
Compacting
As these little pieces of sediment get compacted
together, they eventually for a sedimentary rock.
Click here to see the weathering and
compacting video:
http://screencast.com/t/caGU3MMT

The Rock Cycle

http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/ty

Types of Rocks
Rocks

are not all the same!

The three main types, or classes, of rock are sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous and the differences

among them have to do with how they are formed.

Sedimentary
Formed from particles of sand, shells, pebbles, and other fragments of material.
These particles or sediments accumulate and harden into rock.
You can often see sand, pebbles, fossils or stones in the rock.
Examples of this rock type include conglomerate and limestone.

Metamorphic
Formed under the surface of the earth
Go through metamorphosis (change) that occurs due to intense heat and pressure (squeezing).
Usually have ribbon like layers and may have shiny crystals.
Examples of this rock type include gneiss and marble.

Igneous
Formed when magma or lava cools and hardens.
When lava cools very quickly, no crystals form and the rock looks shiny and glasslike.
Sometimes gas bubbles are trapped in the rock during the cooling process,
leaving tiny holes and spaces in the rock.
Examples of this rock type include basalt and obsidian.

What to Look For:

Here's a chart of some of the key

characteristics that can help you identify
the rocks within these three main classes.

Sand or
pebbles
Individual
stones,
pebbles, or
sand grains
visible in the
rock.

Fossils
Imprints of
leaves, shells,
insects, or
other items in
the rock.

Gas bubbles
"Holes," like
Swiss cheese,
in the rock.

Glassy surface
A shiny and
smooth
surface, like
colored glass.

Ribbonlike
layers
Straight or
wavy stripes of
different colors
in the rock.

Crystals
Small, flat
surfaces that
are shiny or
sparkly, like
tiny mirrors

Sedimenta
Igneous
Metamorphi
ry
c
http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/types.htm

Lets Review
To take the quiz hit the start
button.
If you dont feel ready to
take the quiz and need to look over the information more, press
the back arrow.

Which type of rock

is this?
metamorphic
sedimentary
igneous

WRONG!
Click this button to
try again:

Correct!
You can tell that this rock is igneous
because of its shiny, glasslike surface.

Which type of rock

is this?
metamorphic
sedimentary
igneous

WRONG!
Click this button to
try again:

Correct!
You can tell that this rock is sedimentary
because it has large chunks of other rocks in
it.

Which type of rock

is this?
metamorphic
sedimentary
igneous

WRONG!
Click this button to
try again:

Correct!
You can tell that this rock is
metamorphic because of the rippled
layers.

Which type of rock

is this?
metamorphic
sedimentary
igneous

WRONG!
Click this button to
try again:

Correct!
You can tell that this rock is
sedimentary because you can see
fossils embedded in the rock.

The End!

Hopefully you have learned a lot about the

rock cycle!
Information and videos from:
http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/types.html