THE ROCK CYCLE

Section 3.1

What natural cycles in our world are you aware of?

What is similar about all of these cycles?

Rock Cycle Notes Rocks are all around us, in the soil, our building, and they are used

in industry. Where so all these rocks come from? The answer is: other rocks. The oldest rocks on earth are 3.8 billion years old, while others are only a few million years old. This means that rocks have to be recycled.

The process in which rocks are recycled is the _________________ ____________________

in the rock cycle; time, pressure, and the earth’s heat interact to create ________________ basic kinds of rocks.

1. ____________________________ __________________________ are formed as sediment (eroded rocks and the remains of plants and animals) builds up and is compressed.

2. ___________________________ ____________________________ are formed when a great deal of pressure is applied to rock. This happens as sedimentary rocks sink deeper into the earth and are heated by the high temperatures found in the earth’s mantle.

3. __________________________ ___________________________ are formed when rock is melted (by heat and pressure below the crust) into a liquid, and then re-solidifies. The molten rock _______________________ (magma) comes to the surface of the earth and when it emerges it is called lava; solid lava is igneous rock.

Natural Processes Weathering is the break down of rocks and minerals at and just below the

Earth’s surface; can be physical or chemical. Sediments are very small pieces of rocks and water that are transported and

deposited by water and wind   Erosion is the movement of sand and rock material by agents such as water

and wind  Compaction is the process in which sediments are squeezed together by the

weight of overlying materials.   Cementation is the process after compaction in which sentiments are ‘glued’

together to form sedimentary rocks.   Melting is the process when rocks melt down under the surface of the earth to

form magma (molten rock)  Cooling is the process when magma (molten rock) comes to the surface or the

earth (when it emerges it is called lava) and then cools into igneous rock

 

Rock Identification Reading and Drawing Complete the rock identification reading and answer the

corresponding questions on your notes handout from today. Make sure you write in complete sentences. Once your notes are complete you can begin to create your

rock cycle illustration poster. -Draw out each stage of the rock cycle. (Make your poster

neat and colorful)-DO NOT USE ANY WORDS ON YOUR ROCK CYCLE DRAWING

Rock Cycle Illustration

Once you have completed your . -Draw out each stage of the rock cycle.

(Make your poster neat and colorful)-Label each stage.

-Write the definition for the process happening at each stage. Example: Compaction is the process of sediments being squeezed together due to the weight of overlying material.

The Rock Cycle

Exit SlipSeptember 12, 2011

1. Draw and fill in the missing sections in Figure 3-1.