Rock Cycle Diagram
The rock cycle diagram is a continuous and never ending process. Transformation of rocks from one form to another due to external forces of pressure, temperature, rain and wind are commonly seen, even though they take many many years to actually happen.
The rock cycle diagram pictorially represents the rock cycle, that is the conversion of rocks that are found on the Earth's surface from one form to another. These different kinds of rocks are intermittently connected to each other and follow this cycle on a regular basis, though each step of the rock cycle diagram takes hundreds of years to be completed. There are primarily three types of rocks that are found on the surface of the Earth, and the rock cycle diagram is a geological representation of the transition of these rocks from one state to another. External natural factors trigger off the changes that the rock cycle undergoes, and when the state of equilibrium of a rock is broken it is transformed into the next type of rock.
What are Rocks
Before we begin to understand the simple rock cycle diagram, we must first understand what rocks are exactly and how they are formed. Simplistically speaking, rocks are just a collection of naturally occurring minerals in a solid state. The lithosphere, which is the outer layer of the surface of the Earth is made up entirely of rocks. Over a period of time the minerals and sediments gather together and form a cohesive solid object, that differs in shape, size and texture from area to area. So what you see and feel as a solid rock today, was just a bunch of free floating particles many years in the past, that have come together now and bound themselves in a state of temporary equilibrium. Now let us see the different types of rocks that constitute the simple diagram of the rock cycle. The study of all these is known as geology.
Types of Rocks
There are primarily three types of rocks that are found, and any other forms or types of rocks are mere derivations of these three rock types. These are igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks.
The rock cycle diagram is initiated by external forces like temperature and pressure. These cause the rocks to change their properties and alter their physical appearances and chemical constituents. Due to the movements that occur under the crust of the Earth, rocks are constantly being bombarded by a variety of forces that are beyond anyone's control and monitoring. Sooner or later these forces induce a change in the rock, and a new state of equilibrium is settled on. This is the primary reason behind the drastic changes that are seen in the diagram of rock cycle. Of course, these changes don't occur instantly, and they take many many years in order to have a lasting effect. A huge earthquake though, can instantly alter many things about rocks. Here are the stages of the simple diagram of the rock cycle. Any of the 3 kinds of rocks can alter into any other kind of rock.
Magma
Magma is just molten rock that can be found below or above the surface of the Earth. When this molten rock cools down it always forms igneous rocks. Everyone has heard of the term lava, this is nothing but molten rock. Alternately, when igneous rocks or metamorphic rocks melt due to high temperatures, they become magma. This cycle goes on endlessly.
Sediments
Sediments are small particles of any naturally occurring substance. When these small particles combine with each other over time, they start taking a fixed shape and form a hard substance. This is always known as a sedimentary rock. On the other hand, when any of the 3 kinds of rocks, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, break up due to erosion and weathering, they decompose into sediments. Thus sediments are always combining with each other or detaching themselves from each other.
Metamorphic Rock
Now since metamorphic rocks are the rocks that are caused by any change in heat and pressure, sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks alter themselves into metamorphic rocks due to these external factors of excess heat or pressure or both. This completes the rock cycle diagram, and this is a cycle that is continuously taking place.
The surface of the Earth has a very volatile environment, and there are a number of forces and natural factors that are constantly in play. These forces are the catalysts for the formation of different types of rocks, and also initiate the steps of the rock cycle diagram. Every rock is almost millions of years old, and has undergone many many changes before it has reached its current state. This current state also, will not last forever.
What are Rocks
Before we begin to understand the simple rock cycle diagram, we must first understand what rocks are exactly and how they are formed. Simplistically speaking, rocks are just a collection of naturally occurring minerals in a solid state. The lithosphere, which is the outer layer of the surface of the Earth is made up entirely of rocks. Over a period of time the minerals and sediments gather together and form a cohesive solid object, that differs in shape, size and texture from area to area. So what you see and feel as a solid rock today, was just a bunch of free floating particles many years in the past, that have come together now and bound themselves in a state of temporary equilibrium. Now let us see the different types of rocks that constitute the simple diagram of the rock cycle. The study of all these is known as geology.
Types of Rocks
There are primarily three types of rocks that are found, and any other forms or types of rocks are mere derivations of these three rock types. These are igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks.
- Igneous Rocks: Molten rock, which are burning rocks or hot rocks, upon cooling form solid rocks that are known as igneous rocks. They are commonly found near volcanoes.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Sedimentary rocks are the rocks that are formed by the coming together of sediments from various sources. They are commonly found on beaches and next to rivers or any other water body.
- Metamorphic Rocks: When a change occurs in a rock's constituents and shape due to forces of high temperature or high pressure, they metamorphose themselves and are thus known as metamorphic rocks.
The rock cycle diagram is initiated by external forces like temperature and pressure. These cause the rocks to change their properties and alter their physical appearances and chemical constituents. Due to the movements that occur under the crust of the Earth, rocks are constantly being bombarded by a variety of forces that are beyond anyone's control and monitoring. Sooner or later these forces induce a change in the rock, and a new state of equilibrium is settled on. This is the primary reason behind the drastic changes that are seen in the diagram of rock cycle. Of course, these changes don't occur instantly, and they take many many years in order to have a lasting effect. A huge earthquake though, can instantly alter many things about rocks. Here are the stages of the simple diagram of the rock cycle. Any of the 3 kinds of rocks can alter into any other kind of rock.
Magma
Magma is just molten rock that can be found below or above the surface of the Earth. When this molten rock cools down it always forms igneous rocks. Everyone has heard of the term lava, this is nothing but molten rock. Alternately, when igneous rocks or metamorphic rocks melt due to high temperatures, they become magma. This cycle goes on endlessly.
Sediments
Sediments are small particles of any naturally occurring substance. When these small particles combine with each other over time, they start taking a fixed shape and form a hard substance. This is always known as a sedimentary rock. On the other hand, when any of the 3 kinds of rocks, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, break up due to erosion and weathering, they decompose into sediments. Thus sediments are always combining with each other or detaching themselves from each other.
Metamorphic Rock
Now since metamorphic rocks are the rocks that are caused by any change in heat and pressure, sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks alter themselves into metamorphic rocks due to these external factors of excess heat or pressure or both. This completes the rock cycle diagram, and this is a cycle that is continuously taking place.
The surface of the Earth has a very volatile environment, and there are a number of forces and natural factors that are constantly in play. These forces are the catalysts for the formation of different types of rocks, and also initiate the steps of the rock cycle diagram. Every rock is almost millions of years old, and has undergone many many changes before it has reached its current state. This current state also, will not last forever.
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