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Understanding the Rock Cycle in Geology

This document provides an overview of the rock cycle for an introductory geology course at the University of Calgary. It defines the rock cycle as the natural process by which the three main rock types - igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic - form and transform into one another over time through geological processes. These processes include cooling and solidification of magma to form igneous rocks, weathering and lithification of existing rocks to form sedimentary rocks, and changes induced by heat, pressure and fluids to form metamorphic rocks. Diagrams are included to illustrate the transformations between the three rock types.

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7 views12 pages

Understanding the Rock Cycle in Geology

This document provides an overview of the rock cycle for an introductory geology course at the University of Calgary. It defines the rock cycle as the natural process by which the three main rock types - igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic - form and transform into one another over time through geological processes. These processes include cooling and solidification of magma to form igneous rocks, weathering and lithification of existing rocks to form sedimentary rocks, and changes induced by heat, pressure and fluids to form metamorphic rocks. Diagrams are included to illustrate the transformations between the three rock types.

Uploaded by

MarkFeng
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

FALL 2014
GLGY 209-L02: INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY
ROCK CYCLE

Definition
Rock Type
Material
Processes
Illustration

ROCK CYCLE

Definitions of Rock Cycle


Rock Cycle is the natural process in which the different
rock types on Earth transform from one type to another
Different Rock Types
Natural Processes
Transformation

Rock Cycle is a Geologic model that describes formation,


breakdown and reformation of rocks as a result of various
processes

Formation
Breakdown
Reformation
Natural Processes

Rock Types
Igneous Rocks
Cooling and Solidification of Molten Matter beneath and above the Earth Surface
Cooling
Solidification
Molten matter

Sedimentary Rocks
Weathering, Erosion, Transportation, deposition and lithification of pre-existing
rocks on the surface of the Earth and within bodies of water

Weathering
Erosion
Transportation
Deposition
Lithification

Rock Types
Metamorphic Rocks
Transformation of pre-existing rocks through the action of temperature, pressure and
chemically reactive fluid

Pressure
Temperature
Chemical reactive fluid
Transformation

Materials

Molten matter

From the depth of the earth


High Temperature
Magma or lava
Actions of factors
Locations in the earth interior

Pre-existing rocks
Igneous rocks

Volcanic/ Extrusive
Plutonic/ Intrusive

Sedimentary Rocks
Clastic
Chemical
Biochemical

Metamorphic Rocks
High grade
Medium grade
Low grade

Processes of Rock Cycle

Cooling and Solidification


Formation

Igneous Rocks

Sources

Magma, lava and Metamorphic Rocks (when melted)

Weathering, Erosion, Transportation, Deposition and Lithification


Formation

Sedimentary Rocks

Sources

Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks

Temperature, Pressure and Chemically Reactive fluids


Formation

Metamorphic Rocks

Sources

Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks

Igneous rocks
Lithification

Molten Matter
Cooling
Solidification

Magma

Metamorphic Rocks

Sedimentary rocks

Igneous rocks
Lithification

Weathering

Erosion
Deposition
Transportation

Metamorphic Rocks

Sedimentary rocks

Igneous rocks
Lithification

Temperature

Pressure
Chemical Fluid

Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

Sedimentary rocks

Igneous rocks

Magma

Rock Cycle

Source: [Link]

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