Cycling of Rocks

Front

Rock Cycle Noun

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[rok sy-kuhl]

Back

Rock Cycle

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The series of processes that occur on Earth's surface and in the crust that slowly change rocks from one kind to another.

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Example: The image shows how rocks transform through processes like melting, cooling, and pressure, illustrating the rock cycle.

Front

Igneous Rock Noun

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[ig-nee-uhs rok]

Back

Igneous Rock

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A type of rock that forms from the cooling and hardening of molten material such as magma or lava.

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Example: The image shows magma cooling and hardening beneath Earth's surface, forming igneous rock layers.

Front

Sedimentary Rock Noun

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[sed-uh-men-tuh-ree rok]

Back

Sedimentary Rock

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A type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks are pressed and cemented together in layers.

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Example: Layers of sediment build up over time, forming sedimentary rock.

Front

Metamorphic Rock Noun

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[met-uh-mawr-fik rok]

Back

Metamorphic Rock

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A type of rock that forms from an existing rock that is changed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.

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Example: The image shows the texture and layers of a metamorphic rock, formed by heat and pressure.

Front

Magma Noun

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[mag-muh]

Back

Magma

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A molten mixture of rock-forming substances, gases, and water from the mantle, located beneath Earth's surface.

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Example: A cross-section of Earth showing magma as molten rock beneath the surface.

Front

Lava Noun

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[lah-vuh]

Back

Lava

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Liquid magma that reaches and flows out onto the Earth's surface from a volcano or fissure.

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Example: Lava flows from a volcano, showing how liquid magma reaches the Earth's surface.

Front

Sediment Noun

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[sed-uh-muhnt]

Back

Sediment

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Small, solid pieces of material that come from the weathering of rocks or the remains of living things.

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Example: Layers of sediment deposited over time show how small particles accumulate from weathering.

Front

Weathering Noun

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[weth-er-ing]

Back

Weathering

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The chemical and physical processes that break down rock and other substances at Earth's surface.

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Example: A river eroding the land shows how weathering breaks down rock and soil.

Front

Erosion Noun

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[ih-roh-zhuhn]

Back

Erosion

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The process by which water, ice, wind, or gravity moves weathered particles of rock and soil.

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Example: A river eroding the land, showing how water moves soil and rock.

Front

Deposition Noun

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[dep-uh-zish-uhn]

Back

Deposition

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The process in which sediment is laid down in new locations, building up in layers over time.

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Example: Sediment layers build up over time in a river delta, illustrating deposition.