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| Image Source: https://goo.gl/qf3FgR |
Summary:
The rock cycle is an indefinite cycle which changes the type of rock constantly. The rock cycle starts off as magma but when it is cooled down, it turns into igneous rock. When the igneous rock is exposed to weather, it is turned into soil. Through erosion and deposition, the soil is turned into sediments. From here, the sediments are lithified, or compacted and turned into sedimentary rock, which are somewhat like fossils but with sediments. After a sedimentary rock is formed, it can be melted back into magma, exposed to weather and turn back into soil, or continue on by being exposed to increased temperature and pressure from folding and faulting. If it does increase temperature and pressure, it is turned into metamorphic rock, where it can either be melted into magma or reduced to soil through exposure to weather.
SP4 - Analyzing Data:
This week I analyzed data of the rock cycle by creating a drawing of the rock cycle from the results of a rock cycle simulation. In the drawing, there was all the steps of the rock cycle in a circle. I then connected each step of the cycle together then explained how a rock got to that step of the cycle. For example, magma, when cooled down, turns into intrusive/extrusive igneous rock depending on where the magma cooled. With that information, I made an arrow between magma and the extrusive and intrusive parts of the cycle and explained how magma became either of those rocks. Due to weathering and exposure, the igneous rocks turned into soil, and from erosion, the soil turned into sediments. The sediments turned into sedimentary rock through compacting, and from the increased temperature and pressure, the sedimentary rock turned into metamorphic rocks. When the metamorphic rocks melted, it turned back into lava. These steps are only the full rock cycle. During the cycle, certain rocks can go back or skip a few stages. For instance, most rocks can go back to soil when exposed to weather and sedimentary can skip the metamorphic stage by immediately melting to lava.
