Essay – ARG

The rock cycle is a process in which rocks are continuously transformed between the three rock types
igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. ... If the sediments are buried under further layers of sediment,
they can become lithified to produce a sedimentary rock. Magma is produced when rocks are melted.

The rock cycle is a concept used to explain how the three basic rock types are related and how Earth
processes, over geologic time, change a rock from one type into another. Plate tectonic activity, along
with weathering and erosional processes, are responsible for the continued recycling of rocks. The rock
cycle is the process by which rocks of one kind change into rocks of another kind. There are three main
kinds of rocks: igneous rock, metamorphic rock, and sedimentary rock. Sediment, the particles from
rock erosion and weathering, is the basis for sedimentary rock of the future. The process of
transformation of rocks from one form to the other in a cyclic manner is known as the rock cycle. ...
When igneous and sedimentary rocks are subjected to great heat and pressure, they change into
metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic rocks under heat and pressure breakdown and form hot lavaThe rock
cycle is the long, slow journey of rocks down from Earth's surface and then back up again. ... During the
rock cycle, rocks form deep in the Earth, move and sometimes change, go up to the surface, and
eventually return below the ground. The Rock Cycle is Earth's great recycling process where igneous,
metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks can all be derived from and form one another. Analogous to
recycling a Coke can, where an old can will be used to produce a new can, the rock cycle is ever changing
the rocks and minerals that make up Earth The rock cycle begins with molten rock (magma below
ground, lava above ground), which cools and hardens to form igneous rock. Exposure to weathering and
erosional forces, break the original rock into smaller pieces. ... Eventually, these metamorphic rocks may
be heated to the point where they again melt into magma. A rock is any naturally occurring solid mass or
aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter. It is categorized by the minerals included, its chemical
composition and the way in which it is formed. ... Rocks are usually grouped into three main groups:
igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks. The rock cycle is the long, slow journey of
rocks down from Earth's surface and then back up again. ... During the rock cycle, rocks form deep in the
Earth, move and sometimes change, go up to the surface, and eventually return below the ground. The
three main kinds of rock are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. A conservative estimate is that
each of these steps would take approximately 20 million years (some may be less, others would be
more, and some could be much more). And There are three kinds of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic. Rocks can affect the atmosphere! Erupting volcanoes send tiny particles of ash and gases
into the atmosphere. Tiny particles of ash help make raindrops in the atmosphere as water condenses
around them. The gases released from volcanoes can become sulfuric acid droplets that screen out
sunlight. Weathering and erosion, transport and deposition would all effectively stop. Scientists believe
that, if all these active processes of the rock cycle ceased to operate, then our planet would cease to be
able to support any life. The rock cycle can begin anywhere in the cycle. ... Over time sedimentary rocks
can be buried by earthquakes or other geologic processes. • Being buried deep under the surface in
areas of high temperatures and pressures or coming in contact with magma can cause these
sedimentary rocks to change to metamorphic rocks. Several processes can turn one type of rock into
another type of rock. The key processes of the rock cycle are crystallization, erosion and sedimentation,
and metamorphism.