Types of Rocks and the Rock Cycle

• Rocks are solid chunks of one or more minerals.
• Most rocks are mixtures of multiple minerals, while some are made up of a single mineral.
• Rocks are categorized into three major types: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic.
• Sedimentary rocks are made up of little particles called sediments, formed by sediments collecting at the bottom of bodies of water.
• Sedimentary rocks require water to harden and usually form in layers.
• Metamorphic rocks are formed when a rock undergoes intense heat or pressure, resulting in a change of form.
• Metamorphic rocks make up a significant portion of the Earth's crust.
• Igneous rocks are formed when molten rock (magma or lava) cools and hardens.
• The rock cycle describes the continuous process of rocks transforming from one type into another through various geological processes.
• Igneous rocks can break apart and become sedimentary rocks, while sedimentary rocks can be subjected to heat and pressure and transform into metamorphic rocks.
• Metamorphic rocks can melt and form magma, which then cools into igneous rocks.
• Rocks have interesting origins and undergo various transformations, sharing stories about the Earth's geological history.

Explore the world of rocks and their transformation through the rock cycle, which involves processes that lead to the formation of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Learn about the characteristics and origins of each rock type.