Download Rock Cycle Terms - Canvas by Instructure

Rock Cycle Terms

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS: Formed from rock and mineral fragments or sediments that
are uplifted to the Earth’s surface where they are weathered, eroded, deposited, &
compacted, & cemented to form a sedimentary rock.
UPLIFT: Movement within the Earth’s crust to cause rock to move to the Earth’s surface where
they will begin to weather
WEATHERING: The process where wind, water, ice, & heat break down rock into fragments
(sediments) to form a sedimentary rock
EROSION: Process where wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil & sediment from one
location to another
DEPOSITION: Process where material (sediments) comes to rest or settle in a new location to
form a sedimentary rock
COMPACT: Sediments that have been deposited and are pressed together to form a
sedimentary rock
CEMENT (verb): Process where dissolved minerals glue compacted sediments together to form
a sedimentary rock

METAMORPHIC ROCKS: Large pieces of Earth’s crust collide, rock is forced
downward. Heat, pressure, & chemical change form a metamorphic rock inside the Earth.
PRESSURE: The force of the Earth and other rocks pushing down on rock causing it to change
form and become a metamorphic rock
HEAT: Extreme & intense temperatures change the chemical make-up of a rock & form a
metamorphic rock
CHEMICAL CHANGE (REACTION): Chemical make-up of a rock completely changes to
something new and becomes a metamorphic rock

IGNEOUS: Formed from molten rock (magma/lava) that cools and solidifies to form an
igneous rock. They form inside the Earth from magma and on the Earth's surface from lava.
MELT: When rocks reach a certain temperature that causes them to get hot enough and melt
down to magma
MAGMA: Melted rock in liquid form beneath the Earth’s surface. When it leaves the Earht and
is on the surface it is called lava.
COOLING AND SOLIDIFICATION: When magma reaches a certain temperature and
hardens to become an igneous rock