The ever changing face of our planet

The Rock Cycle:

Rock Cycle Quiz Resources

Trevor Heard, 2008

Igneous Rock

Metamorphic Rock

Magma/Lava

SedimentaryRock

Sediment

Heat & Pressure (Metamorphism)

Melting

Compression (lithification) Weathering, Erosion,

Deposition

Heat & Pressure

(Metamorphism)

CoolingMelting

Melting

Weathering, Erosion, DepositionWeathering, Erosion, Deposition

The Cycle

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Melting occurs when one tectonic plate is pushed beneath another plate (subduction)

The crust reaches the mantle and begins to melt due to the extremely high temperatures, creating magma

Eventually this magma is pushed back towards the surface by volcanism, where it cools and again forms Igneous rock

Melting

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Cooling is the process by which magma or lava forms Igneous rock

Magma rises towards the earths surface through volcanoes or rifts

As the magma/lava cools, it gains viscosity and turns into solid rock

The faster the magma/lava cools, the smaller the grain (crystal) size will be (Obsidian), and the slower it cools, the larger the grain size will be (Granite)

Cooling

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Weathering, Erosion and Deposition are the processes that break down solid rocks into sediment

Weathering is the wearing down of rocks through direct contact with the atmosphere, 2-types: chemical and mechanical

Erosion is the wearing away and movement of earth and rock by means of wind, water, ice or gravity

Deposition is the process by which sediment is carried to and dropped at a new location.

Deposition from wind, water or ice

Weathering, Erosion, Deposition

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Metamorphism is a change in minerals, texture and composition of rock due to heat, pressure, and chemical actions being applied to it

Can also be defined as a solid-state recrystallisation of rock (no melting)

Several types of metamorphism including: contact, hydrothermal, and dynamic metamorphism

Heat & Pressure (Metamorphism)

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Compression or Lithification is the process(es) by which sediment is converted into sedimentary rock

Processes include compaction (the tight packing of sediments caused by high pressure), as well as cementation (the binding together of sediments due to chemical precipitates forming in pore spaces)

Compaction generally occurs due to added weight from overlaying deposits

Compression (Lithification)

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Igneous Rock is formed directly from cooled lava or magma.

Igneous rock formed from lava (on surface) is known as volcanic and extrusive

Igneous rock formed from magma (underground) is known as plutonic and intrusive

Rock formed on the surface tends to cool more quickly than underground and therefore have smaller crystals

Examples: Granite, Basalt

Igneous Rock

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Metamorphic Rock is formed when Igneous, Sedimentary or even older Metamorphic rock undergoes Metamorphism due to increases in Heat and Pressure

Commonly formed at tectonic plate boundaries

Metamorphic rock is divided into two texture categories: foliated; and non-foliated

Foliations are the result of differential stress on only one plane, creating cleavage

Examples: Schist, Gneiss, Slate

Metamorphic Rock

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Magma is molten rock material that occurs beneath the Earths surface

Lava is molten rock material that occurs on the Earths surface

When cooled, Lava and/or Magma form Igneous rock

Magma provides heat that aids in Metamorphism

Magma/Lava are commonly found in volcanic regions such as plate boundaries, hot spots, and mid-ocean ridges

Magma/Lava

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Sedimentary rock is formed from the accumulation and consolidation of sediment, usually in layered deposits

Several categories of Sedimentary rock including clastic, biogenic and precipitates

Sedimentary rock covers about 75-80% of the earths surface

Examples: Conglomerate, Sandstone, Dolomite

Sedimentary Rock

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Sediment is a loose, unconsolidated deposit of weathered debris, chemical precipitates and/or biological debris

When sediment is consolidated it forms sedimentary rock via the process of lithification (compaction and expelling of fluids)

Sediment sizes are (smallest-largest): clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobble, boulder

Sediment is transported by wind (aeolian), water (fluvial) or ice (glacial) processes

Sediment

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Now that you’ve got the Rock Cycle diagram memorized, lets try to answer some questions. Just click the button with the right answer!

Quiz

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Skinner, Brian J., Porter, Stephan C., and Botkin, Daniel B. The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth Science, 2nd Edition. Wiley: 2nd ed. Jan 25, 1999.

Definitions http://geology.com

http://geology.com/dictionary/glossary-s.shtmlRock Cycle

www.roygbivwyo.com/rockcyc.jpgRock Photos

www.dkimages.com

Resources

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Sediment is converted to Sedimentary rock by the process of:

Question 1

Compression

(Lithification)

Heat & Pressure

(Metamorphism)

MeltingWeathering, Erosion and Deposition

Next Question

Metamorphism consists of which processes?

Question 2

Weathering, Erosion,

Deposition

Compression

(Lithification)

Heat & Pressure

Melting

Next Question

Which option does not describe a characteristic of a surficial Igneous rock?

Question 3

ExtrusiveLarge Grain

SizeVolcanic

Small Grain Size

Next Question

Which is not one of the means by which erosion can be carried out?

Question 4

Gravity Wind Water Fire

Next Question

When any type of rock undergoes weathering, erosion and deposition, it creates this:

Question 5

SedimentSedimentar

y rockLithification

Magma/Lava

Next Question

What are the two main categories of Metamorphic rocks?

Question 6

Layered & Not

Layered

Mafic&Felsic

Foliated & Non-

foliated

Plutonic & Volcanic

Next Question

A rock described as being a large grained, plutonic and formed from magma would be an example of a(n):

Question 7

Igneous rock

Metamorphic rock

Sedimentary Rock

Lava

Next Question

Which is the process that magma/lava would not have to undergo to become Sedimentary rock?

Question 8

Compression

(Lithification)

Heat and Pressure

(Metamorphism)

CoolingWeathering,

Erosion, Deposition

Next Question

Which of the following is the smallest grain size of sediment?

Question 9

Sand Cobble Silt Clay

Next Question

Lithification (compression) is made up of compaction, and which other process?

Question 10

Erosion Deposition WeatheringCementatio

n

Finish

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