The Rock Cycle

1
The Rock Cycle

• Whats Energy Got to Do With It?

2
But First!

• Some background information

3
What are Rocks?

• Rocks are aggregates of 2 or more minerals.
• Petrology is the study of rocks.
• There are three classifications of rocks
  igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

4
Igneous Rocks

• Igneous rocks are formed when molten rock (magma)
  cools and solidifies, with or without
  crystallization, either below the surface as
  coarse-grained, intrusive (plutonic) rocks or on
  the surface as fine- grained, extrusive
  (volcanic) rocks.

• Granite is an igneous rock

5
Sedimentary Rock

• Sedimentary rock is formed in three main ways

• by the deposition of the weathered remains of
  other rocks (known as clastic sedimentary rocks)
• by the deposition of the results of biogenic
  activity (organic)
• by precipitation from solution (evaporites)

Limestone and shale are both types of sedimentary
rock
6
Metamorphic Rock
Slate is a type of metamorphic rock

• Metamorphic rock is the result of the
  transformation of a pre-existing rock type.
• The pre-existing rock type is called the
  protolith.
• Pressure and heat physically and chemically
  change the protolith.
• Metamorphic means "change in form.

7
Finally, The Rock Cycle!

• The Rock Cycle refers to the constant sequence of
  one type of rock turning into another.

• Click Here for an Animation that Further Explains
  the Rock Cycle

8
What Do You Think?

• Now that you have seen the animation, what do you
  think energy has to do with the progression of
  the Rock Cycle?
• What are the keys to the change in the rocks?
• Can rocks shortcut the cycle? Does igneous always
  have to form sediment or can it go straight back
  to being magma?