The rock cycle is a cycle where one rock changes to another. There are three major types of rocks in the process. The diagram below explains a little bit of information. Want to learn more? Keep scrolling!
This song, "The Three Types of Rock" is a fun and silly song about the Rock Cycle. It's fun to listen to and it's an easy way to learn the Rock Cycle in an enjoying way!
IGNEOUS ROCKS
How Igneous Rocks Form
- The picture that lies beside us has a couple of rocks that are known as igneous rocks. These igneous rocks are formed when a volcano erupts, and the liquid rock comes to Earth's surface and cools to make this rock. Igneous rocks can also be formed deep beneath Earth's crust.
The Distinct Types of Rocks
- There are ample amounts of different igneous rocks. One of the most popular is granite. It has been used for building for more than 3,500 years. Some other types of igneous rocks are basalt, pumice, and obsidian. They also have important uses, such as crushing for gravel and abrasive polishing.
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Forming Metamorphic Rocks
- Any rock can be formed into a metamorphic rock with the power of heat and pressure deep beneath Earth's surface. Everything from the previous rock, either a sedimentary, another metamorphic, or an igneous rock changes. The texture, the way is looks, the way the crystals are lined, and more! Everything changes. It becomes a totally new rock.
Different Types of Metamorphic Rocks
- Here are some different types of metamorphic rocks. Some of these rocks are called gneiss, slate, quartzite and more. Limestone can be used to form marble, a good building material. Marble was used to make the Taj Mahal. Slate is also very useful for building. Both marble and slate come in different variations of colors.
SEDIMENTARY ROCK
Forming Sedimentary
- Sedimentary rocks form in four steps; erosion, deposition, compaction, cementation.
- Erosion
Erosion is the process of forces breaking away all of the rocks on Earth's surface. There are four forces; heat, cold, rain, and waves, It loosens and carries away the fragments of the rock.
- Deposition
Deposition is the process where sediment, the fragments of the rock, just decides to drop out of the water or wind it's was carried by.
- Compaction
Compaction squeezes the sediment together. Sediment keeps falling year after year and compacts it all to make new layers.
- Cementation
Cementation is where dissolved minerals solidify, or crystallize. The particles of sediment and the minerals glue together.
- Erosion
Erosion is the process of forces breaking away all of the rocks on Earth's surface. There are four forces; heat, cold, rain, and waves, It loosens and carries away the fragments of the rock.
- Deposition
Deposition is the process where sediment, the fragments of the rock, just decides to drop out of the water or wind it's was carried by.
- Compaction
Compaction squeezes the sediment together. Sediment keeps falling year after year and compacts it all to make new layers.
- Cementation
Cementation is where dissolved minerals solidify, or crystallize. The particles of sediment and the minerals glue together.
Multiple Types of Sedimentary Rock
- These are a mix of clastic, organic, and chemical rocks. A clastic rock is a sedimentary rock that has a lot of different rock fragments pressed together. Some popular clastic rocks are shale and sandstone.
- An organic rock are formed when plants and animals residue are placed in thick layers. Coal is an example of organic rocks. Coal is useful for electricity cause and is very important to this day.
- Chemical rocks are rocks have dissipated minerals in a solution, crystallize. A type of chemical rock is halite. It's also a rock salt. Calcite is also another type of chemical rock that is also a rock salt. These rock salts have many different purposes. Halite is used as a food seasoning, melting snow and ice, and salt licks for cattle, etcetera. Calcite is used for animal feed, buildings, statues, the glass industry, photography and much more.
RECAP
- Any rock can turn into a metamorphic rock with heat and pressure
- All rocks make sediment
- Sedimentary rocks form in four easy steps; erosion, deposition, compaction and cementation.
- Igneous rocks form from the cooling of magma
- There are MANY, many different types of rocks
- All rocks have uses, not just to make the world look a bit cooler.
- We cannot name every single rock and every single purpose!
- All rocks make sediment
- Sedimentary rocks form in four easy steps; erosion, deposition, compaction and cementation.
- Igneous rocks form from the cooling of magma
- There are MANY, many different types of rocks
- All rocks have uses, not just to make the world look a bit cooler.
- We cannot name every single rock and every single purpose!