Warm-up:(Write your answer on the board please! Yes

really!)

1. What exactly is a rock?

The Rock Cycle The Rock Cycle is the Earth system that depicts the

interrelationships among the three general categories of rocks.

The Rock Cycle Molten magma

in the upper mantle rises

into the lithosphere,

where it cools and crystallizes to form igneous

rock.

Over time, this igneous rock is

weathered (eroded) by

liquid water, ice and/or wind

into sediment.

The sediment is eventually deposited in layers, which are compacted by the weight of the layers above. The process of cementation

forms sedimentary rocks. This is called lithification.

Over time heat from below and pressure from

above can cause these

sedimentary rocks to change form and change into

metamorphic rock.

If subjected to continuing heat

and pressure, the metamorphic

rocks can melt to become magma

again and the cycle begins again.

The Rock Cycle The full cycle does not always take place due to

“shortcuts” or interruptions.

Sedimentary rock melts

Sedimentary rock is

weathered

Igneous rock is metamorphosed

Metamorphic rock weathers

The Rock Cycle

Warm-up:How can you tell

what type of rock you are looking at?

1. Think about how igneous rocks are formed. How would an igneous rock look different from a sedimentary or metamorphic rock?

2. Think about how sedimentary rocks are formed. How would a sedimentary rock look different from an igneous or metamorphic rock?

3. Think about how metamorphic rocks are formed. How would an metamorphic rock look different from a sedimentary or igneous rock?