About
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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