Rock Cycle Steps

Rock Cycle Steps

What is Rock Cycle?

Rock cycle is the process in which different types of rocks are slowly but continually changing from one to another, again and again. This change forms a cycle known as “Rock Cycle”. The change in their form is the result of Earth’s internal heat, pressure and effects of natural (wind, water or gravity) or human activities.

Rocks

Rocks can be made of minerals that are made by living organisms with chemical composition and crystal like structures. They can also be made by the pieces of other rocks. The elements by which rocks are made, are never created or destroyed. Instead, they are recycled repeatedly.

Types of Rocks

There are different types of rocks that are formed in different environments of the Earth (above or below the Earth’s surface).

Igneous

The word ”igneous” is derived from the Latin word which means ‘fire”. These rocks are formed when magma cools and either hardens slowly in the underground or quickly if it erupts from volcanoes. (Example: Granite).

Sedimentary

Sedimentary rocks are actually the pieces of other rocks. These rocks are fairly soft and break apart or crumble easily. (Examples: clay, coal or chalk).

Metamorphic                                                                   

The word “metamorphism” is derived from the Greek word, which means “change of form”. They are formed under the Earth’s surface. When the changes occur in their original shape, due to high heat and pressure. (Examples: slate or marble.

Steps of Rock Cycle

The cycle is depended on different factors (temperature, pressure, time) and changes in environment of Earth’s crust and its surface.

1) Formation of Igneous Rock:

Magma from deep inside the earth, solidifies in the surface due to cooling and become igneous rocks. Now these rocks cool down on the surface.

2) Formation of Sedimentary Rock:

Because of weathering and erosional activities, the igneous rocks are broken down to form sediments and pressed together for long periods to form sedimentary rocks.

3) Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

After very long time, these sedimentary and igneous rocks end up being buried deep underground the soil.  These rocks are exposed to intense heat and pressure, which change them into metamorphic rock.

4) Weathering

Now there rocks present on the surface of the earth, are continually being broken down by wind and water over a long time.

5) Transportation

The rocks are then carried away by rain, streams, rivers, and oceans to a different place from their origin.

6) Deposition

During the carriage of rocks by rivers, the rock particles sink and become a layer of sediment, which convert into sedimentary rock after some time.

Melting of underground metamorphic rock forms magma, which on crystallization forms igneous rock, and the cycle repeated.

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