Rock Cycle

rock

a solid material made of minerals that forms the Earth's crust

mineral

a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition

igneous rock

rock that forms when molten rock cools and hardens

intrusive

a type of igneous rock that generally contains large crystals and forms when magma cools slowly beneath Earth's surface.

extrusive

fine-grained igneous rock that forms when magma cools quickly at or near Earth's surface

magma

molten rock beneath the earth's surface

lava

magma that reaches Earth's surface

sedimentary rock

rock that forms when sediments are compacted and cemented together

cementation

process in which dissolved materials crystallize and glue and sediments together

compaction

process that forms sedimentary rocks from sediments compressed by the weight of the rock layers above them

rock cycle

the process by which one rock type changes into another; between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

metamorphic

Rocks changed by intense heat or extreme pressure

foliated

describes metamorphic rocks whose grains are arranged in parallel layers or bands.

deposition

process in which sediment is laid down in new locations

erosion

the process of moving sediment from one place to another

delta

flat, low-lying triangular shaped land built up from silt carried downstream by a river and deposited at its mouth

mechanical weathering

the process of physically breaking down rock.

chemical weathering

a process that changes the composition of rocks

sediments

loose materials such as rock fragments, mineral grains, and bits of shell that have been moved by wind, water, ice, or gravity

geology

The scientific study of the origin, history, composition, and structure of the earth.