The Rock Cycle Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the rock cycle?

The rock cycle is a never-ending web that repeats again and again, forming new igneous rock through constructive forces, breaking down rock to form sedimentary rocks through destructive forces, and pushing rock deep beneath the surface where heat and pressure form metamorphic rock.

What is igneous rock?

Igneous rock is made from cooled lava and magma.

What are intrusive igneous rocks?

Intrusive igneous rocks are those that cooled slowly beneath the Earth's surface, usually coarse-grained like granite.

What are extrusive igneous rocks?

Extrusive igneous rocks are those that cooled quickly above the Earth's surface, usually fine-grained like obsidian. Signup and view all the answers

What is magma?

Magma is melted rock from any of the rock types. Signup and view all the answers

What is sedimentary rock?

Sedimentary rock is made through a series of natural processes, gluing sediments together. Signup and view all the answers

What is weathering?

Weathering is the natural process that wears and carries away rock. Signup and view all the answers

What is deposition?

Deposition is the dropping of sediments from the forces that are carrying it. Signup and view all the answers

What are compaction and cementation?

Compaction and cementation are processes that squeeze and glue sediments together. Signup and view all the answers

What are sediments?

Sediments are bits and small pieces of fossils, rock, and/or plant remains. Signup and view all the answers

What is metamorphic rock?

Metamorphic rock is formed from any of the rock types, heated and pressurized so that the minerals change and become a different rock. Signup and view all the answers

What is contact metamorphism?

Contact metamorphism occurs when the rock is metamorphosed by being heated, but not melted, by magma deposits. Signup and view all the answers

What is regional metamorphism?

Regional metamorphism occurs when the rock is pressurized until it is a different rock without being heated. Signup and view all the answers

What does fine-grained mean?

Fine-grained refers to rocks with grains so small they feel smooth and are tiny or even invisible to the human eye, such as obsidian. Signup and view all the answers

What does coarse-grained mean?

Coarse-grained refers to rocks with large grains that are easy to see and feel, such as granite. Signup and view all the answers

What is clastic rock?

Clastic rock is a type of sedimentary rock that is made up of sediments, such as shale. Signup and view all the answers

What is chemical rock?

Chemical rock is a type of sedimentary rock made from the crystallization of water solutions, like chemical limestone. Signup and view all the answers

What is organic rock?

Organic rock is a type of sedimentary rock made of particles of once-living things, such as coal. Signup and view all the answers

What does foliated mean?

Foliated refers to rocks where the particles are lined up in thin, flat layers, such as slate. Signup and view all the answers

What does nonfoliated mean?

Nonfoliated refers to rocks where the particles have no apparent order and are randomly placed, such as marble. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Rock Cycle

A continuous process involving igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Constructive forces create new igneous rock, while destructive forces break down rocks into sediments.
Rocks can be pushed underground where heat and pressure transform them into metamorphic rock.

Igneous Rock

Formed from the cooling of lava and magma.
Divided into two types: intrusive and extrusive.

Intrusive Igneous Rock

Cools slowly beneath the Earth’s surface.
Characterized by coarse grains; example: granite.

Extrusive Igneous Rock

Cools quickly above the Earth’s surface.
Typically fine-grained; example: obsidian.

Magma and Lava

Represents melted rock from any rock type, essential to the formation of igneous rocks.

Sedimentary Rock

Formed from sediments through natural processes that glue them together.
Includes clastic, chemical, and organic types.

Weathering and Erosion

Natural processes that wear away and transport rock materials.

Deposition

The process of dropping sediments carried by various forces.

Compaction and Cementation

Processes that compress and bond sediments into solid rock.

Sediments

Composed of small bits of fossils, rock fragments, and plant remains.

Metamorphic Rock

Created when any rock type undergoes heating and pressure, altering its minerals.

Contact Metamorphism

Occurs when rocks are heated by nearby magma, leading to metamorphism without melting.

Regional Metamorphism

Involves high pressure acting on rocks without significant heat, changing them into different rock types.

Fine-grained Rock

Rocks with very small, often invisible grains to the eye; example: obsidian.

Coarse-grained Rock

Rocks with large, visible grains; example: granite.

Clastic Sedimentary Rock

Composed of fragments of other rocks; example: shale.

Chemical Sedimentary Rock

Formed from minerals crystallizing from water solutions; example: chemical limestone.

Organic Sedimentary Rock

Made from remains of living organisms; example: coal.

Foliated Metamorphic Rock

Features minerals aligned in thin, flat layers; example: slate.

Nonfoliated Metamorphic Rock

Contains minerals without a specific pattern; example: marble.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the rock cycle with these flashcards. Explore the definitions of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, as well as the processes that change one into another. Perfect for geology enthusiasts and students alike!