The The Rock CycleRock Cycle

What is the rock cycle?What is the rock cycle? Liquid (molten) rock material solidifies at depth or Liquid (molten) rock material solidifies at depth or

at the earth's surface to form igneous rocksat the earth's surface to form igneous rocks Exposed rocks at the Earth's surface, brake down Exposed rocks at the Earth's surface, brake down

into sediments. These sediments come together into sediments. These sediments come together to form sedimentary rocks.to form sedimentary rocks.

Changes in temperature, pressure, and/or rock or Changes in temperature, pressure, and/or rock or fluid chemistry can allow igneous and fluid chemistry can allow igneous and sedimentary rocks to change physically or sedimentary rocks to change physically or chemically to form metamorphic rocks. chemically to form metamorphic rocks.

What’s the deal with Rock What’s the deal with Rock Safety?Safety?

Geologists (scientists who study Geologists (scientists who study rocks) actually have safety tips as to rocks) actually have safety tips as to how to go about collecting how to go about collecting specimens.specimens.

Click here to learn more about rock safety. And if you are really feeling

ambitious…take the quiz that follows!

Did You Know…Did You Know… The earth’s crust is The earth’s crust is

made up of rockmade up of rock The earth is like a The earth is like a

carmel covered apple. carmel covered apple. The soil is the carmel, The soil is the carmel, the skin of the apple is the skin of the apple is the crust, the fleshy the crust, the fleshy part of the apple is the part of the apple is the mantel, and the core mantel, and the core of the apple is the of the apple is the earth's core. earth's core.

Sedimentary RocksSedimentary Rocks As soil accumulates over As soil accumulates over

the years, the older soil is the years, the older soil is pushed farther and farther pushed farther and farther down. down.

Eventually, the soil turns Eventually, the soil turns into sedimentary rocks by: into sedimentary rocks by:

1. Compaction 1. Compaction 2. Cementation 2. Cementation 3. Recrystallization 3. Recrystallization (of carbonate sediment) (of carbonate sediment)

A type of sedimentary rock

Igneous RocksIgneous Rocks Sometimes called the Sometimes called the Fire Fire

Rock!Rock! Deep under the earth Deep under the earth

there is a layer of melted there is a layer of melted rock called magma. rock called magma.

With enough pressure, the With enough pressure, the magma is pushed up magma is pushed up through the earth’s crust through the earth’s crust creating a volcano. creating a volcano.

When the pressure in the When the pressure in the volcano becomes too volcano becomes too great, the magma will great, the magma will erupt from the volcano and erupt from the volcano and lava will begin pouring out lava will begin pouring out of it. of it.

As the lava cools, igneous As the lava cools, igneous rocks are formed. rocks are formed.

Above is a pumice stone, also an igneous rock.

Metamorphic RocksMetamorphic Rocks Metamorphism means Metamorphism means

"changed form". "changed form". Sedimentary and Sedimentary and

igneous rocks can igneous rocks can “morph” to become “morph” to become metamorphic rocks.metamorphic rocks.

Changes occur Changes occur because of: because of:

1. Heat 1. Heat 2. Pressure 2. Pressure 3. Chemical fluids3. Chemical fluids

This is a metamorphic rock called gneiss.

How Rocks FormHow Rocks Form

Click on the picture below to see how rocks Click on the picture below to see how rocks are formed!are formed!

*Make sure that you click on each of the rock types on the site to see all of the images*

Specific RocksSpecific Rocks ConglomerateConglomerate GneissGneiss GraniteGranite GypsumGypsum LimestoneLimestone ObsidianObsidian PumicePumice Sandstone Shale Schist Scoria

Rock AssignmentRock Assignment

Now that you know something about rocks Now that you know something about rocks and their cycle…and their cycle…

Research a rock on the internetResearch a rock on the internet In Microsoft Word include…In Microsoft Word include…

A picture of the rockA picture of the rock

Type of rock (metamorphic, igneous, sedimentary)Type of rock (metamorphic, igneous, sedimentary)

And And 33 interesting factoids about your rock interesting factoids about your rock

Remember to print out a copy of this page Remember to print out a copy of this page

(don’t forget to include your name and date)(don’t forget to include your name and date)

For even more fun go to next slide!

Fun and games with Rocks!Fun and games with Rocks!

Just for fun, check Just for fun, check out this web-site!out this web-site!

Just click on Just click on the the picturepicture