There are three kinds of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

The formation of clastic and organic rocks begins with the weathering, or breaking down, of the exposed rock into small fragments. Through the process of erosion, these fragments are removed from their source and transported by wind, water, ice, or biological activity to a new location.

The three processes that change one rock to another are crystallization, metamorphism, and erosion and sedimentation. Any rock can transform into any other rock by passing through one or more of these processes. This creates the rock cycle.

The rock cycle is the long, slow journey of rocks down from Earth’s surface and then back up again. During the rock cycle, rocks form deep in the Earth, move and sometimes change, go up to the surface, and eventually return below the ground. The three main kinds of rock are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

The key processes of the rock cycle are crystallization, erosion and sedimentation, and metamorphism.

The Rock Cycle Isn’t Circular.

The rock cycle is predictable and provides insight into the probable locations of energy sources. For example, fossil fuels are found in sedimentary environments while radioactive elements for nuclear energy (uranium) may be found in igneous or sedimentary environments.

Answer. Explanation: The rock cycle by definition is a natural process by which sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks are created, changed from one type to another, and destroyed.

sedimentary rock

Answer: When any rock undergoes the process of weathering, sedimentation, crystallization and metamorphism, the rock changes but still can be classified as the same form of rock respectively. Explanation: The process of weathering and erosion of the sediments and the existing rocks forms sedimentary rocks.

The Geosphere

• Sedimentary rocks are formed via weathering and transport of existing rocks, and then deposition, cementation, and compaction into sedimentary rock.
• Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling and crystallization of molten rock.
• Metamorphic rocks are formed when heat or pressure is applied to other rocks.

The Earth’s geosphere is divided into three chemical sections: The crust, composed almost entirely of light elements, like silicon. The mantle, which is 68% of the Earth’s mass. The core, the innermost layer; it is composed of very dense elements, such as nickel and iron.

Here is an example of the rock cycle describing how a rock can change from igneous to sedimentary to metamorphic over time. Melted rock or magma is sent to the earth’s surface by a volcano. It cools and forms an igneous rock.

The geosphere is the earth’s solid rock or rigid outer layer known as the crust. Without the geosphere it would not be possible for humans to live on the planet because there would be no solid ground. Included in the earth’s geosphere are the rocks, minerals, molten rock, sand, and mountains.

The geosphere is the earth itself: the rocks, minerals, and landforms of the surface and interior. More regularly, however, human interaction with the dynamic geosphere comes in the form of surface erosion, our use of arable land for farming, and excavations for the construction of buildings, roads, and mines.

The geosphere impacts Earth’s climate in a variety of ways. Typically, the geosphere reacts on geologic timescales, affecting climate slowly and over millions of years. However, the burning of fossil fuels over the last 150 years has sped the impact of the geosphere on climate.

The geosphere is the collective name for the earth’s atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere. This includes the air that we all breath. The lithosphere is the solid part of the Earth such as rocks and mountains. The hydrosphere is the liquid water such as the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Lithosphere is defined as the rock and crust surface that covers the Earth. An example of lithosphere is the Rocky Mountain range in western North America. The outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) thick. The solid, rocky part of the earth; earth’s crust.