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The Rock Cycle
Rock Cycle
A more traditional definition is:
is a sequence of events involving the
formation, alteration, destruction, and
reformation of rocks as a result of natural
processes ...
James
Hutton
The eminent 18th century
lawyer, doctor, gentleman
farmer and founder of
modern geoscience,
James Hutton,
developed the concept of the
Rock Cycle to show how rocks
and natural, physical processes
are interrelated.
Atomic Theory proposes that all matter is
composed of the atoms of about 100 different chemical
elements. It further proposes that chemical compounds are
formed by the combination of the atoms of different chemical
elements.
Elements can be arranged, based on their identifiable
properties, into the Periodic Table
Simple Hierarchy
Atoms make up elements
Elements combine to form natural
compounds
Natural compounds and elements
combine to form minerals
Minerals make up rocks
Minerals vs. rocks
Minerals can be made from one element
such as Gold or compounds of several
elements such as halite (sodium chloride
or rock salt)
Rocks can be one mineral such as Gold or
several minerals as in Granite
What is a rock?
any solid mass of mineral or
mineral-like material that occurs
naturally as part of our planet
Why study rocks?
All of Earth’s processes involve rocks and minerals
Rocks provide clues about the environment in which
they formed, so we can infer (figure out) details about
important events in Earth’s history and in space,
which may help us solve problems.
explains
how Rocks and Natural Processes
are related
The
Rock Cycle
sediments
Sedimentary
Weathering &
lithification
Igneous
Metamorphic
Rock Cycle
Sedimentary
weathering
lithification
Metamorphic
Weathering: process by which
rocks are physically and chemically
broken down by water, air, & living
things to produce sediment.
Igneous
Sediment is eventually compacted
and cemented (lithification) to form
sedimentary rock.
Rock Cycle
Sedimentary
weathering
lithification
Metamorphic
Under extreme pressure and
temperature conditions
sedimentary and igneous rock
Igneous
and metamorphic rock will
change into metamorphic rock.
Rock Cycle
Sedimentary
weathering
lithification
Metamorphic
Anytime rock melts then the
magma cools and hardens
beneath the surface or as the
Igneous
result of a volcanic eruption,
igneous rock forms
Energy That Drives the
Rock Cycle
•
•
Heat from the Earth’s interior is responsible for
forming both igneous rock and metamorphic
rock.
Energy from the sun powers external processes
such as weathering and the movement of
weathered materials that produce sedimentary
rock.
Identifying Rocks
•
1. Mineral content (composition)
-which mineral(s) the rock contains
•
•
- four most common rock-forming minerals are
quartz, feldspar, calcite, mica
2. Texture- size and shape of the grains of minerals in the
rock to determined by how rock forms
• - sometimes “grains” are also referred to as crystals
• - large grains = coarse texture
• - small grains = fine texture
Rock Textures
Fine Texture
Rock Textures
Coarse Texture