3. A rock is a naturally-occurring,
coherent aggregate of minerals
or solid materials such as natural
glass or organic matter. Rocks
are found in the lithosphere,
which is derived from the Greek
word ‘lithos’ meaning ‘stone’. The
lithosphere is the rigid, rocky,
outermost part of the Earth, and
uppermost part of the upper
mantle.
4. The rock cycle
Is a model that describes all the
processes by which rocks are formed,
modified, transported, decomposed,
melted and reformed. These processes
occur both on the Earth’s surface and
underneath. Essentially, it is a dynamic
cycle of processes and products.
5. When magma (molten rock
beneath the surface) is exposed
to low temperature, minerals and
amorphous solids crystallize,
solidify, and form igneous rocks.
Formation of igneous
rocks
6. These rocks may then be
brought to the surface through
uplift, where they are exposed
to weathering and erosion. The
process of erosion break the
rocks down into smaller pieces
called sediments.
Sedimentation
7. These particles may then
undergo transportation via
agents such as wind, water,
glaciers, rivers, and oceans
until they settle in an area
where they will undertake
deposition.
Transportation and
sedimentation
8. As more materials settle on top of
each other, temperature and
pressure increases and the
sediments at the bottom may
undergo lithification (transformation
of sediments into sedimentary
rocks.
Lithification
9. As temperature and pressure
increase due to continuous burial
and tectonic activity, the
sedimentary rocks undergo
metamorphism, transforming them
into metamorphic rocks.
Metamorphism
10. If temperature continues to
and exceeds the melting
point of the rocks, the rocks
will eventually undergo
melting, turning into magma
Magmatism