ROCK:

Rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of

one or more minerals or mineraloids. For example, the
common rock granite is a combination of the quartz,
feldspar and biotite minerals. The earth's outer solid
layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock.

TYPES OF ROCKS:
The three main ways rocks are formed:
1. Igneous rocks
2. Sedimentary rocks
3. Metamorphic rocks

1.

IGNEOUS ROCKS:

Igneous rocks are rocks which have crystallized from a

melt or magma. The melt is made up of various
components of pre-existing rocks which have been
subjected to melting either at seduction zones or within
the earth's mantle. The melt is hot and so passes
upward through cooler country rock. As it moves it
cools and various rock types will form through a
process known as fractional crystallization. Igneous
rocks can be seen at mid ocean ridges, areas of island
arc volcanism or in intra-plate hotspots.

2.

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS:

Sedimentary rocks are formed through the gradual

accumulation of sediments: for example, sand on a
beach or mud on a river bed. As the sediments are
buried they get compacted as more and more material

is deposited on top. Eventually the sediments will

become so dense that they would essentially form a
rock. This process is known as lithification.

3.

METAMORPHIC ROCKS:

Metamorphic rocks are rocks which once existed as

igneous or sedimentary rocks but have been subjected
to varying degrees of pressure and heat within the
Earth's crust. The processes involved will change the
composition and fabric of the rock and their original
nature is often hard to distinguish. Metamorphic rocks
are typically found in areas of mountain building.

FORMATION OF ROCKS
The

three

sedimentary,

main

types,

or

metamorphic,

classes,
and

of

rock

are

igneous

and

the

differences among them have to do with how they are

formed. Sedimentary rocks are formed from particles
of sand, shells, pebbles, and other fragments of
material.

Together,

all

these

particles

are

called

sediment. Gradually, the sediment accumulates in

layers and over a long period of time hardens into rock.
Generally, sedimentary rock is fairly soft and may break
apart or crumble easily. You can often see sand,
pebbles, or stones in the rock, and it is usually the only
type that contains fossils. Examples of this rock type
include conglomerate and limestone. Metamorphic

rocks are formed under the surface of the earth from

the metamorphosis (change) that occurs due to intense
heat and pressure (squeezing). The rocks that result
from these processes often have ribbon like layers and
may have shiny crystals, formed by minerals growing
slowly over time, on their surface. Examples of this rock
type include gneiss and marble. Igneous rocks are
formed when magma (molten rock deep within the
earth) cools and hardens. Sometimes the magma cools
inside the earth, and other times it erupts onto the
surface from volcanoes (in this case, it is called lava).
When lava cools very quickly, no crystals form and the
rock looks shiny and glasslike.

THE ROCK CYCLE

The Rock Cycle is a group of changes. Igneous rock can
change into sedimentary rock or into metamorphic
rock. Sedimentary rock can change into metamorphic
rock or into igneous rock. Metamorphic rock can change
into igneous or sedimentary rock. Igneous rock forms
when magma cools and makes crystals. Magma is a hot
liquid made of melted minerals. The minerals can form
crystals when they cool. Igneous rock can form

underground, where the magma cools slowly. Or,

igneous rock can form above ground, where the magma
cools quickly. Image displaying the Rock Cycle. Please
have someone assist you with this. When it pours out
on Earth's surface, magma is called lava. Yes, the same
liquid

rock

matter

that

you

see

coming

out

of

volcanoes. On Earth's surface, wind and water can

break rock into pieces. They can also carry rock pieces
to another place. Usually, the rock pieces, called
sediments, drop from the wind or water to make a
layer. The layer can be buried under other layers of
sediments. After a long time the sediments can be
cemented together to make sedimentary rock. In this
way, igneous rock can become sedimentary rock. All
rock can be heated. But where does the heat come
from? Inside Earth there is heat from pressure (push
your hands together very hard and feel the heat). There
is heat from friction (rub your hands together and feel
the heat). There is also heat from radioactive decay

(the process that gives us nuclear power plants that

make electricity). So, what does the heat do to the
rock? It bakes the rock. Baked rock does not melt, but it
does change. It forms crystals. If it has crystals already,
it forms larger crystals. Because this rock changes, it is
called

metamorphic.

Remember

that

a caterpillar

changes to become a butterfly. That change is called

metamorphosis. Metamorphosis can occur in rock when
they are heated to 300 to 700 degrees Celsius. When
Earth's tectonic plates move around, they produce
heat. When they collide, they build mountains and
metamorphose (met-ah-MORE-foes) the rock. The rock
cycle continues. Mountains made of metamorphic rocks
can be broken up and washed away by streams. New
sediments

from

these mountains

can

make

sedimentary rock. The rock cycle never stops.

new