Understanding What the Rock Cycle Is
The rock cycle is the natural process that changes rocks from one type to another. Over time, rocks can melt, erode, harden, or transform inside Earth.
The Three Main Rock Types
Igneous rocks form when melted rock cools and hardens.
Sedimentary rocks form from layers of sand, mud, and minerals.
Metamorphic rocks form when heat and pressure change existing rocks.
How Rocks Change Over Time
Heat can melt rocks into magma. Erosion can break rocks into small particles. Pressure can reshape rocks deep underground. These changes drive the cycle.
What Starts the Rock Cycle
The cycle often begins with magma rising and cooling into igneous rock. Weathering then breaks it apart, creating sediment that forms new sedimentary rock.
How Metamorphic Rocks Form
When rocks are pushed deep into Earth, heat and pressure alter them without melting. This transformation creates strong, new metamorphic rocks.
Why the Rock Cycle Matters
The rock cycle constantly reshapes Earth’s surface, creates soil, forms mountains, and recycles materials used in landscapes and ecosystems.
The Simple Takeaway
The rock cycle is a continuous process where rocks melt, break down, and transform into new types. It keeps Earth’s geology active and always changing.