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Name the nine processes in the rock cycle.

User James Daly
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The rock cycle involves changing the three types of rock (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) from one to another.

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1) Weathering

It is the breaking of rocks into smaller fragments. This can occur in a few different ways.

Onion skin weathering

This occurs when a rock's surface is warmed by the Sun during the day and cooled at night. As a result, the surface starts to expand and contract and eventually separates, much like an onion peel

Freeze-thaw weathering

Water expands as it freezes. This could expand the crack if it occurs in a rock crack. Several cycles of freezing and thawing cause pieces to separate.

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2) Erosion

It involves the wearing down of rocks. For example, by rain.

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3) Transportation

It is the process of spreading the eroded rock fragments across the globe, primarily using wind and water.

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4) Deposition

It is the laying down of sediment.

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5) Burial/Compression/Cementation

The layers are squeezed and compressed, finally forming sedimentary rocks.

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6) Heat/Pressure

The process that transforms rock into metamorphic rocks involves more crushing and heating

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7) Melting

The rock partially melts and transforms into lava because of the intense heating.

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8) Cooling

It is the process by which melted rock solidifies to produce igneous rocks.

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9) Exposure

Back to erosion and weathering again. (Despite being weathered away, the amount of rock on the surface is always, about the same.)

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User Parzibyte
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