Rock Cycle

compaction

A step in lithification; pressure due to the settling of other materials forcing sediment closer together

heat and pressure

These two forces work together to transform rocks deep inside Earth's crust.

wind

This causes the most erosion in dry areas that get little rainfall.

intrusive igneous rock

This igneous rock formed underground as magma cools slowly. Because it cools slowly, the crystals inside the rock grow very large.

extrusive igneous rock

This igneous rock forms as erupted lava cools quickly on Earth's surface. Because it cools so quickly, these rocks have very, very tiny crystals.

weathering

This is the breaking down of rocks. It can be caused by wind, rain, ice, or gravity.

cooling

This is the process that forms igneous rock.

sedimentary rock

This rock type forms as loose materials called sediments become cemented together. Usually, these rocks have layers.

nonfoliated

a classification of a metamorphic rock that does not have visible layers or bands

foliated

a classification of a metamorphic rock that has visible layers or bands

rock cycle

a continuous series of processes through which rock is transformed from one type to another.

cementation

a step in lithification; as heat and pressure increase the sediments can change chemically, this allows sediments to be "locked" or "glued" together into a solid rock

obsidian

dark, glasslike volcanic rock formed by the rapid solidification of lava without crystallization

sediments

little pieces of weathered rock, plant remains, and animal remains

magma

molten rock below Earth's surface

lava

molten rock that has erupted onto Earth's surface

deposition

occurs when sediments settle on the ground or a body of water

lithification

process which turns sediment into sedimentary rock; compaction and cementation

metamorphic rock

rock that forms as heat and pressure cause changes to an existing rock

igneous rock

rock that forms as molten rock cools

erosion

the transport of fragments of rock by water, wind, ice, or gravity

regional metamorphism

when a whole region (area) of rock are put under extreme pressure and heat

contact metamorphism

when hot magma moves into a chunk of rock, heats it up, and hardens again; results in large scale mineral changes with little deformation