LEQ: What is the rock cycle, and what is the role of plate tectonics in the cycle? Key Terms: rock cycle (plus many of the key terms from the other lessons).

The Rock Cycle Like the Water Cycle, the Rock Cycle is one of Earth’s major process cycles. The Rock Cycle is a series of processes on Earth’s surface and inside the planet that slowly change rocks from one kind to another. These processes that change rock from one kind to another can take millions of years. Represented by a cycle diagram. A cycle diagram is a graphic organizer that is used to show a sequence of events that is continuous or cyclical.

sediment melting crystallization Metamorphic Rock Igneous Rock Heat, pressure, chemical changes Heat, pressure, chemical changes Weathering, erosion, and deposition Weathering, erosion, and deposition Sedimentary Rock sediment Lithification (Compaction and cementation)

The Rock Cycle and Plate Tectonics Plate tectonics (movements) is the driving force behind the rock cycle.

Subduction Zones Rocks are pushed back towards the mantle. Heat and pressure increase. Rocks can melt and become magma. Rocks can go through metamorphic processes and change into metamorphic rocks.

Divergent Boundaries At divergent boundaries, magma up wells from Earth’s interior. When the molten rock (magma or lava) solidifies it forms igneous rock.

Colliding Continental Plates Mountain ranges are created where Collisions between continental plates occur. The rock is then exposed to the agents of weathering and erosion.

Folding, Faulting, and Uplifting of the Crust These Earth processes are all the result of plate tectonics (movements). Over millions of years, all of these plate tectonic processes help move and drive Earth’s rocks through the rock cycle.

The Rock Cycle Activity We will be wrapping up our Chapter on rocks using an interactive Web Site called Rock Cycle. As you surf your way through the interactive site, you will need to complete a worksheet packet. Go through the packet and website in order. You can link to the website from the sandbox page of the Kraynakscience Wiki, or use the link below: Rock Cycle an interactive Web Site