The Rock Cycle

Today you will learn about the rock cycle. You will see how sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks are formed.

To help you there is a built in glossary. Anytime you see an underlined word you can click on the word and see a short definition.

You will also find words written in blue. These blue words are links to pages on the Internet, they will help further explain certain concepts.

Pedro, Hali, and Monty will help you on your journey, please click on them below and meet them.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

There are millions of rocks on earth. You can see numerous rocks everyday.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

There are three types of rock formations. They are sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. Here are some examples of each:

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

These rocks change over time. This geological process is called the rock cycle. Look at the chart on the left to see how each rock type is formed.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

In the rock cycle, any rock can become any type of rock given the correct circumstances. Although the geological process is called the rock cycle, any one of these three kinds of rocks, can change into any kind of rock.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

Rocks are weathered over time by water, wind, or the motion of other rocks. This weathering is called erosion. Weathering and erosion create sediments.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

Rock sediments can collect in riverbeds and other places. Continued pressure on these sediments can cause them to form into sedimentary rock. Many sedimentary rocks often have distinctive layers as seen in this picture.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

Another way rocks are formed is through intense heat and pressure. This process occurs over millions of years and causes the rock to "morph" into another type of rock. This rock is called metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks were once sedimentary or igneous rocks.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

The last rock type is formed by the cooling of melted rock. Rocks can be melted at very high temperatures, this happens above and below the surface of the earth. Melted rock is called magma when it is beneath the earth's surface. When it is above the earth's surface it is called lava.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

When magma or lava cools it becomes the last rock type, igneous rock. The word igneous comes from the latin word "ignis" meaning fire or ignite. This name is particularly descriptive of igneous rocks due to how they are formed.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

Once a sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous rock is formed it can, over time, become a different rock type by means of weathering and erosion, heat and pressure, or heat to the point of melting.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

A Quick Recap

The rock cycle is the geological process of a rock changing into a sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous rock. It is important to note that any type of rock, given the right conditions, will change into any one of these three types of rock. Thus, a sedimentary rock can turn into a metamorphic rock or an igneous rock, and the same is true for the other rock types.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

Quiz

Answer the following questions. Click on Hali for a hint.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

Name the three categories of rocks. (In the box below, type, draw, voice record, or write your response).

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

Describe the geological process of one rock formation changing into another. (In the box below, type, draw, voice record, or write your response).

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

What is the rock cycle? (In the box below, type, draw, voice record, or write your response).

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder

Thank you for joining us and learning about the rock cycle.

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder