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Rock cycle can be defined as a process of formulating and converting the different types of rocks. The rocks are continually transformed between three types. All the Rock can be converted into any other type of rock. The rock cycle concept was attributed to James Hutton. The rock cycle includes the movement, transformation, and movements of the rocks. The rock cycle is a cycle that has no beginning and it also has no end. The rock cycle is a continuous cycle that runs continuously. All the changes that takes a place in the life of rocks come in the rock cycle. It has a great impact on our daily lives because rocks are very useful in our daily life. In this article, we are going to learn everything about the rock cycle and rocks, which will help us know more about it.
Keywords: Rock formation, the rock cycle, types of rocks, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, materials of the rock cycle.
What are Rocks?
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A naturally formed and non-living earth is called a rock. They are made by collecting mineral grains. All the mineral grains are held together in a firm but rocks are different from mine. Rocks are made of minerals grains that can be tiny or big as well. They are made up of a mixture of different minerals. They can be easily identified with their texture.
Types of Rocks
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The rocks can be classified into three major groups. They are:
- Igneous rocks
- Sedimentary rocks
- Metamorphic rocks
Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are one of the major types of rocks. They are formed by volcanoes, the volcano erupts and it spews out Magma. The magma is called a molten rock when the molten rock crystallizes and solidifies the igneous rock forms. Igneous rocks can be divided into two subtypes:
- Intrusive igneous rocks: when the magma is trapped deep inside the earth it forms intensive igneous rocks. Examples of intrusive igneous rocks are gabbro, granite, peridotite and diorite, etc.
- Extrusive igneous rocks: when the magma cools and exits above or near to the earth’s surface, it forms extrusive rocks. Examples: obsidian, rhyolite, pumice & basalt, etc.
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are the rocks that are formed from the deposits of existing risks that accumulate on the surface of the earth. Sedimentary rocks often start with the sediments that are carried in rivers. After that, the sediments are deposited in the lakes and oceans. The sediments lose water after getting buried and becoming cemented to form a rock. These types of rocks can be divided into 4 types:
- Clastic sedimentary after it consists of cemented together clasts, grains & solid fragments. Examples: sandstone, siltstone, shale, and conglomerate, etc.
- Chemical sedimentary rocks: it is made up of minerals. These minerals are precipitated directly from the water solutions. Examples: chert, iron ore, rock, salt, etc.
- Biochemical sedimentary rocks: the biochemical, rocks are made from shells, or it can be said that they consist of shells. Examples: limestone, coal, and chart, etc.
- Organic sedimentary rocks: these rocks consists of carbon-rich relict plants and other, organisms. Examples: chalk, coal, diatomite, etc.
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks are made by transforming the existing rocks into new ones. The process of transforming the rocks into a new one is called metamorphism. They are formed when the rock is heated by the intrusion of magma from the interior of the earth. There are two types of metamorphic rocks:
- Foliated metamorphic rocks: these rocks have layers that can be thick or thin as well. These rocks are formed when the pressure and stress both are in the same direction. Examples: slate, phyllite, etc.
- Non-foliated rocks: consolidated rocks are different from foliated rocks. They are formed when the temperature is high but the pressure is low. Examples: marble, greenstone, quartzite, etc.
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The Rock Cycle
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We have learned about the rocks and their three different types. Now we must know about the rock cycle. The rock cycle is a process of transforming the rocks into another one in a cyclic manner. The constant change that takes, place in rocks is called the rock cycle. An igneous rock converts into sedimentary rock and it can also, be converted into a metamorphic rock. It is just a basic concept that is used to explain the rocks like how they are related to each other, how the earth processes, and the transformation of the rocks into a different one. The rocks may melt into magma when rocks are pushed deep under the earth’s surface. The rock will solidify into an igneous rock if the conditions no longer exist for the magma to stay in its liquid state. Again, the rock exposed to high temperatures and pressures can be changed physically or chemically in order to form a different rock, which is referred to as metamorphic. Moreover, rocks exposed to the atmosphere are variable unstable and are subject to the processes of weathering and erosion. And this process breaks the original rock down into smaller fragments and also carries away dissolved materials.
Process of the Rock Cycle
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There is no beginning and end of the cycle. These are some steps that can take into consideration:
Weathering and Erosion
Weathering is the process of breaking down the rocks into tiny particles without any transporting agents. Temperature plays an important role in weathering, it happens when the rocks freeze due to lower temperature. Higher temperature is also one of the reasons for weathering.
Erosion is also, the same process as the process of weathering. In erosion, the rocks are broken firm into the sand like small particles. The difference between weathering & erosion is just the presence of agents.
Transportation and Deposition
When the eroded particles of rocks are carried away by wind, rain, oceans, rivers, and streams it is called the process of transportation. As the rivers flow into the ocean or get deeper, the rock particles start to sink as their current slows down and becomes a layer of sediment. They often start building up faster & it forces rivers to break down into many channels.
Compaction
When the layers of sediment stack up, it can be below or above the water. After the sediments stack, they start creating layers. These layers are covered by another layer very soon and the process goes on and on. After some years the sediments turn into rocks.
Crystallization
When the magma the liquid form of rocks remains dormant inside the volcanoes. When it gets under pressure and temperature because of heat that comes from the earth’s core. The magma can be less viscous or can be sticky as per the factors like temperature and the amount of gas dissolved. The one with the less viscous erupt and forms rocks with fin grains, the sticky one forms solid rocks.
Melting
It is the reverse point of the cycle. As the rocks reach the bottom of the earth, the temperature and the pressure start rising. As the result the rocks get melt. It gives, rises to lava. Some rocks erupted only for cooling down purposes but some risks erupt and change their characteristics that help in the formation of new types of rocks.
Uplifting
When a crust of the earth is formed due to natural forces, it causes movements in the tectonic plates. This process is called uplifting.
Deformation and Metamorphism
The sudden movements and the pressure put sedimentary and igneous rocks under great pressure. Deformation is a process of folding are faulting the rocks. Metamorphism is a process in which igneous are sedimentary roc are converted into metamorphic rocks.
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Things to Remember
- The rock cycle is a circular process that has no beginning or end.
- The igneous rocks are the preliminary rocks, they can change into metamorphic or sedimentary rocks.
- When crystallizing & re-organization of minerals occur in a rock, the process I called metamorphism.
- The sedimentary rocks are formed from the small pieces of rocks minerals.
- Marble is a type of metamorphic rock.
Sample Questions
Ques: What is Magma? (2 marks)
Ans: Magma is an l a that is located under the earth's surface. It is a hot liquid when magma flows under the surface is called lava. Magma is a rock mixture that is made up of four things: A hot liquid base, minerals, solid rocks, and dissolved gas. The main factors of magma are pressure, temperatures, mineral composition & water content. The three components of magma are melt, volatiles, and solids.
Ques: What is Rock Cycle? (3 marks)
Ans: The rock cycle is a process of transformation of the rocks into another type of rock. This cycle runs cyclically. The process starts when the hot lava cools down it forms the igneous rocks. After that igneous rocks are broken into small particles. After breaking they are transported by the rivers and oceans. After transporting they are deposited. When the temperature is higher or lower than the normal temperature the rock starts melting and like this, the process goes on.
Ques: How the rocks are formed? (2 marks)
Ans: The rocks change continuously. They are the oldest and one of the most natural fun-loving things on the earth. The rocks are about 100 million years old. Their shapes and structure continuously. When the magma flows out from the volcanic eruptions converts into lava and cools off inside the surface area or the outside surface area. After the process is done the magma forms the rock these rocks are the igneous rocks.
Ques: Describe Metamorphic Rocks. (2 marks)
Ans: The metamorphic rocks are formed from heat and pressure. These rocks are found inside the earther past. They just need heat and pressure from rocks. They are made up of other types of rocks like igneous and sedimentary rocks. These rocks are crystalline and often have a foliated or banded texture. The transformation of the rocks into other ones is called metamorphism. Some examples of metamorphic rocks are limestone, slate, schist, quartzite, etc.
Ques: what are igneous rocks? (2 marks)
Ans: the igneous rocks are formed when the hot molten rock solidifies and crystallizes. They are usually formed by volcanoes, the volcano erupts and spews out hot molten rock then It is called magma. It melts deep within the earth near the plate boundaries and rises towards the earth’s surface. They are often called the primary rocks. They are divided into two sub-groups.
Types of igneous rocks:
- Intrusive igneous rocks
- Extrusive igneous rocks
Ques: Explain the rock cycle through a diagram. (4 marks)
Ans: The rock cycle is a process of forming different rocks. It is a process that shows how all the different rocks are connected.
With the help of the diagram, we can see how the rock cycle runs.
Ques: What is the difference between granite and marble? (5 marks)
Ans: Difference between granite and marble;
| Granite | Marble |
|---|---|
| Granite is a hard stone than marble. | Marble is not as harder as granite. |
| It is less porous than marble. | Marble is porous than granite. |
| Granite comes under igneous rocks. | Marble is a type of sedimentary rock. |
| Granite has an ugly appearance. | Marble has a pleasing appearance. |
| It is difficult to polish granite. | It is very easy to polish marble. |
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